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Basilica of St. Servatius/Church of St. John, Maastricht, Netherlands

There are two churches in Maastricht that stand in striking contrast to one another. These are the Catholic Basilica of St. Servatius and the Protestant Church of St. John. I chose to include these two churches because when I first came across them whilst wandering the city, I was immediately struck and surprised by the parallel that they presented, both in design and in principle. The Church of St. John was originally constructed as a baptistry and parish church for the neighboring basilica, alleviating some of the demands on the basilica and allowing it to serve more as a collegiate church and pilgrimage site. However, Maastricht was conquered by Frederik Hendrik, the Prince of Orange, in 1632. This occurred during the tumult of the Reformation Movement, and the Church of St. John passed into Protestant hands. There has been conflict and tension between the two churches multiple times since then, and they stand as a reminder of the opposition that so often occurred during the Reformation.

The aesthetics of the two buildings are in stark contrast to each other. The Basilica of St. Servatius is very broad, with Romanesque architecture and a yellowish brick color. The Church of St. John, on the other hand, is tall and striking with very Gothic architecture and a bold red brick color. On the interior, St. Servatius is very clean and stately, with white walls and golden accents. St John, on the other hand, is bold and imposing with lots of exposed stonework in the typical Gothic style. The contrasting aesthetics of the two buildings accentuate and further the obvious parallel that they pose, both in stature and in principle.

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Princely Béguinage of the Vineyard, Bruges, Belgium

The Beguinage of Bruges is a significant piece of history for the city. A beguinage was a complex built to house “beguines”, or Christian women of lay religious orders. These beguines were different from nuns in that they took no vows (although most did not marry) and were not cut off from society. They simply lived together in the complex and devoted themselves to Christian living, often living in poverty and spending their time caring for the needy. The Beguinage was founded around the year 1244, and has since been an important piece of the religious history of Bruges.

I chose this particular place for my blog because it is very different from the other locations and cathedrals. Beguinages were places of unique importance in the development of Christianity in Europe. These groups of women developed and displayed a religion that was very personal. They took the words of Christ and transformed their entire lives around it. Their freedom of a religious life with no vows, and their personal relationship with God, planted seeds in the hearts of European christianity that would come to fruition in the principles of the Reformation Movement.

I was surprised by the tranquility of the Beguinage in Bruges. In a city like that, it is easy to get lost in the sights and sounds of your environment. When I stepped into the Beguinage, I was immediately quieted by the silence and peacefulness of the green space. It is no wonder that religion holds such a strong presence there. I immediately felt reminded of the peace and power of God in that place.

[churchhistoryguy]

Westminster Abbey, London, England

Westminster Abbey is a massive religious and political building in downtown London, very near to the Parliament building. It is a very important building in the relationship between the English government and Christianity. It is the place of all English coronations, and has been since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066. It was originally a Catholic building, but became Anglican during the English Reformation and the founding of the Anglican Church by King Henry VIII. It is now a collegiate church under the authority of the monarch, holding to no specific doctrine and providing an inclusive place of worship for all who believe in Christ.

I chose this item because of its importance to England and its impressive design. It towers above many of the other buildings, and it is one of the few European cathedrals that I had heard of before I saw it. Its imposing Gothic architecture leaves an impression of importance and significance that is difficult to overlook. One element of Westminster Abbey that surprised me was the difference in style between the two visible sides. One is broad and yellowish with massive flying buttresses and imposing archways, while the other is taller and narrower, with white walls and two impressive towers. These stylistic differences lead me to believe that the two sections were probably built at different times.

[churchhistoryguy]

St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland

St. Giles Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, stands at the very heart of the Old Town in Edinburgh. The church itself was founded by King David I in the 12th century. It served as a Catholic parish church until 1559, when it became the center of Scottish Protestantism during the Scottish Reformation. John Knox, the leader of the Scottish Reformation, was the minister at St. Giles during his work. He was eventually buried here, and his tombstone is still visible behind the church today. It is through the influential work of John Knox that St. Giles Cathedral became known as the “Mother Church of World Presbyterianism”.

I chose to include this cathedral because of the profound impact that Edinburgh had on me as I walked its Old Town streets. We learned much of the history of the city and how it stood as a stronghold for centuries. The cathedral itself was also impressive, largely because of its importance during the Reformation Movement and its ties to John Knox. I did not know that he was buried here, and getting to view his burial site was a very pleasant surprise.

[churchhistoryguy]

Aix-la-Chapelle Cathédral, Aachen, Germany

The Aachen Cathedral is a beautiful example of the artistic nature of European cathedrals. From the moment I stepped inside its doors, I was blown away by the grandeur of the interior. This being one of the very first European cathedrals I visited, it still to this day stands out in my mind. The most surprising part of the cathedral to me was the shrine that contains the remains of Charlemagne himself. It was amazing to be that close to such an important piece of history.

This cathedral has significance in relation to the Reformation Movement because it was one of the central points of religious life for the Holy Roman Empire. Built by Charlemagne the Great circa 800 A.D., it became a site of pilgrimage for Christians. Also, the cathedral has particularly outstanding interior artwork that holds educational as well as visual value. The octagonal center of the cathedral has a ceiling mosaic showing the kings of the world offering their crowns to Christ. Various saints are also displayed. Perhaps the most notable art of the building is in the choir area, which was nicknamed the “Glass House” because of its massive and illustrious glass panes. Each pane shows and teaches different Biblical tales, honors saints, or encourages the common laity to pursue righteousness and holy lives.