50 Most Extraordinary Churches of The World

5/30/13
50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda
50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World

Me gusta A 5.063 personas les gusta esto. S el primero de tus amigos.
Topic: Architecture , Featured, Latest Posts, Weird
Besides eating bamboo leaves I like all kind of oddities. Being bored of usual buildings I have traveled the world (with the help of Internet) and found 50 strangest and most extraordinary churches in the world, and Im kind enough to share it with you. It was a tedious job for a lazy bored panda to compile such a big list, but I did it! Oh, and Im more Buddhist than Christian, so churches are no more than buildings for me. But I have to admit, that the most wonderful buildings on earth are probably churches, monasteries and other religious structures. You can do much more with a lot of faith and a lack of money than with a lot of money but without any faith. Enjoy scrolling down the list, while I eat another bamboo leaf.
1. The Church of Hallgrmur (Reykjav k, Iceland)
www.boredpanda.com/50-most-extraordinary-churches-of-the-world/
1/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Stuck in Customs via www.boredpanda.com) The Church of Hallgr mur is a Lutheran parish church which is also a very tall one, reaching 74.5 meters (244 ft) height. It is the fourth tallest architectural structure in Iceland. It took incredibly long to build it (38 years!) Construction work began in 1945 and ended in 1986. Architect: Gujn Samelsson More info: Hallgrmur
2. Las Lajas Cathedral (Colombia, South America)
(Bamboo leaf for Jungle Boy via www.boredpanda.com)

www.boredpanda.com/50-most-extraordinary-churches-of-the-world/ 2/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for julkastro via www.boredpanda.com) Las Lajas Cathedral was built in 1916 inside the canyon of the Guaitara river where, according to local legend, the Virgin Mary appeared. You can find it in southern Colombian Department of Narino, municipality of Ipiales, near the border with Ecuador.
3. Device to Root Out Evil (Calgary, AB, Canada)
3/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for ms cwang via www.boredpanda.com) It was too hot for New York City; too hot for Stanford University. But a controversial, imposing sculpture by renowned international artist Dennis Oppenheim finally found a public home in laid-back Vancouver. A country church is seen balancing on its steeple, as if it had been lifted by a terrific force and brought to the site as a device or method of rooting out evil forces. (Update: In 2008 it was moved from Vancouver to Calgary, AB, Canada)
4. Chapel of St. Gildas (Brittany, France)
4/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for TouringBoy via www.boredpanda.com) Mads: This is the chapel of St-Gildas, which sits upon the bank of the Canal du Blavet in Brittany, France. Built like a stone barn into the base of a bare rocky cliff, this was once a holy place of the Druids. Gildas appears to have travelled widely throughout the Celtic world of Corwall, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. He arrived in Brittany in about AD 540 and is said to have preached Christianity to the people from a rough pulpit, now contained within the chapel. (from Cruising French Waterways by Hugh McKnight p.150)
5. Shell Church (Huntington Beach, CA, USA)
(Bamboo leaf for woolennium via www.boredpanda.com) Panda has no info on this one, only the location Huntington Beach, CA, USA. The best thing about this church is a huge Shell logo.
5/56
5/30/13
6. Notre Dame du Haut (Ronchamp, France)
(Bamboo leaf for jimgrant via www.boredpanda.com) People say that the roof of this building looks like Elvis hair and Panda agree. Informally known as Ronchamp, the chapel of Notre Dame du Haut was completed in 1954 and is considered one of the finest examples of architecture by the late French/Swiss architect Le Corbusier. Interesting fact: when it rains, water pours off the slanted roof onto a fountain, creating a dramatic waterfall. More info: Notre Dame du Haut
7. St Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church (Chicago, IL, USA)
6/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for GiantGinkgo via www.boredpanda.com) I dont want to tell what kind of thing those domes remind me. Its massiveness and gray color looks like Soviet architecture. I was amazed when I read that it was actually in USA and not in Soviet Union. St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic church is best known for its ultra-modern thirteen gold domed roof symbolizing the twelve apostles and Jesus Christ as the largest center dome. It is celebrating its 53 years, so it was built in 1956 (if my calculations are right). More info: St Joseph Ukrainian Church
8. Jubilee Church (Rome, Italy)
7/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for alaninabox via www.boredpanda.com) Jubilee Church has very distinctive curved walls which look like sails and serve the engineering purpose of minimizing thermal peak loads in the interior space. The walls are made from a special cement, which contain titanium dioxide, so it destroys air pollution. According to Borgarello When the titanium dioxide absorbs ultraviolet light, it becomes powerfully reactive, breaking down pollutants that come in contact with the concrete. Architect: Richard Meier Year: 1996
9. Grace Fellowship Baptist Church (Baltimore Road in Detroit, Michigan, USA)
8/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Derek Farr (DetroitDerek) via www.boredpanda.com) This weird building is actually a church. Once it was famous for being Detroits most beautiful Chinese-American restaurant. Later it closed down and became the Omega Baptist Church and then the Grace Fellowship Baptist Church. Located at 265 Baltimore, MD, USA.
10. Basilica de Higuey (Dominican Republic)
(Bamboo leaf for Fernando Rossi via www.boredpanda.com) Basilica de Higuey, inaugurated on January 21, 1971, is one of the most respected monuments of the Dominican Republic. It was built by French architects, and is located in the city of Higuey, Dominican Republic. Panda thinks it is actually a huge basket, and not a church.
9/56
5/30/13
11. Church in Stykkishlmskirkja (Iceland)
(Bamboo leaf for omarrun via www.boredpanda.com)
(Bamboo leaf for omarrun via www.boredpanda.com) No, this is not an alien structure it is another weird church in Iceland. Ive found two different versions about this church: Version #1: It was built in 1990 and the architect is Jn Haraldssyni Version #2: The church in Stykkishlmskirkja was built in 1879. The new church was than built in 1980. The church has drawn much of detention by its look from the sea and from land. In 1939 Fransiskusystur (nuns) built a monestry, school and the church. They also built a hospital witch is still in use.
12. St. Basils Cathedral (Moscow, Russia)

5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Lst1984 via www.boredpanda.com) Cathedral of Saint Basil the Blessed was built in 1555 -1561 by Ivan IV (a.k.a Ivan the Terrible) to celebrate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan. The multi-tented church stands at the very heart of Moscow,the Red Square. A legend says that Ivan had the architect,Postnik Yakovlev, blinded to prevent him from building a more magnificent building for anyone else. In fact, Postnik Yakovlev built a number of churches after Saint Basils. Panda thinks that it may be huge lollypops and wants to taste it. More info: Saint Basils Cathedral
13. Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
11/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Phillie Casablanka via www.boredpanda.com) Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro was built between 1964 and 1979. Conical in form it has internal diameter of 96 meters (315 ft) and an overall height of 75 meters (246 ft). The church has a standing-room capacity of 20,000 people. Four rectilinear stained glass windows soar 64 meters (210 ft) from floor to ceiling. Looks like a Pyramid of Egypt or Aztecs, doesnt it?
14. Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Spain)
12/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Wolfgang Staudt via www.boredpanda.com) Sagrada Fam lia is a very massive Roman Catholic basilica under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day. A very famous architect Antoni Gaud worked on the project for over 40 years, devoting the last 15 years of his life entirely to this endeavor. In the center there is going to be a tower of Jesus Christ, surmounted by a giant cross; the towers total height will be 170 m (557,7ft). I have never seen anything as fabulous as this church! More info: Wikipedia.
15. Paraportiani Church (Mykonos, Greece)

5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for marceelgermain via www.boredpanda.com) According to the author of the photo: Paraportiani Church is one of the most famous architectural structures in Greece. Its name means secondary gate, because it was built on the site of one of the gates of the Medieval stone walls. Some parts of this beautiful church date from 1425 and the rest was built during the 16th and 17th centuries.
16. Borgund Stave Church (Lrdal, Norway)
14/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Wikipedia via www.boredpanda.com) Stave churches may have been very usual all over medieval northwestern Europe but now you can only find them in Norway (that what Wikipedia says, but this is wrong) Borgund stave church located in Borgund, Lrdal, Norway is the best preserved of Norways 28 extant stave churches. This wooden church, probably built in the end of the 12th century, has not changed structure or had a major reconstruction since the date it was built. Interesting fact: the church is also featured as a Wonder for the Viking civilization in the video game Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings.
17. The Green church (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Magda-50 via www.boredpanda.com) Bamboo leaves!?! I want to climb into this church and sit here all day. The only info I managed to find: a parish church in Buenos Aires, Argentina known as the Huerto de Olivos , or Garden of Olives Michael
18. Church Ruins (Goreme, Turkey)
16/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for shapeshift via www.boredpanda.com) The rock cut ruins of a church by persecuted Christians. Not sure when it was built, but definitely look very ancient. How did those guys carved the inside of these rocks? The Cappadocia valley, where this church stands, is very popular for its rocks that the people of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocia Region carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries. There are an estimated 150 churches and several monasteries in the canyon between the villages of Ihlara and Selime. Those rocks are volcanic deposits, so that means they are soft rocks, making it possible to carve such structures.
19. Duomo, Milan Cathedral (Milan, Italy)

5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Stuck in Customs via www.boredpanda.com) Mark Twain once said the following of the Duomo in Milan in his work, Innocents Abroad: They say that the Cathedral of Milan is second only to St. Peters at Rome. I cannot understand how it can be second to anything made by human hands. More info: Wikipedia.
20. Paoay Church a.k.a St. Augustine Parish (Philippines)
(Bamboo leaf for Storm Crypt via www.boredpanda.com) Paoay Church reminds me of Aztec architecture. It looks very massive and strong. The walls of the church are 1.67 meters thick and are supported by 24 carved and massive buttresses. Its construction started in 1704 and was completed in 1894 by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo. It is said, that Its construction primarily was intended to withstand earthquakes. And it could test the strength of the walls very soon, because the church
5/30/13
was damaged by an earthquake in 1706 and 1927. The design of the church is a mixture of Gothic, Oriental and Baroque influence.
21. Cathedral of Brasilia (Brasilia, Brazil)
(Bamboo leaf for = xAv = via www.boredpanda.com)
(Bamboo leaf for Victor Soares, Agncia Brazil via www.boredpanda.com)
This is a very famous Cathedral of Bras lia designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Panda finds It modern but somehow childish. These columns, having hyperbolic section and weighing 90 t, represent two hands moving upwards to heaven. The construction was finished in 1970. More info: Cathedral of Bras lia
5/30/13
22. St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery (Kiev, Ukraine)
(Bamboo leaf for EugeniusD80 via www.boredpanda.com) St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery is a functioning monastery in Kiev, Ukraine. The monastery is located on the Western side of the Dnieper River on the edge of a bluff northeast of the St. Sophia Cathedral. The site is located in the historic and administrative Uppertown and overlooks the citys historical commercial and merchant quarter, the Podil neighbourhood. Originally built in the Middle Ages by Sviatopolk II Iziaslavych, the monastery comprises the Cathedral itself (Mykhaylivskyi zolotoverkhyi sobor), the refectory of St. John the Divine, built in 1713, the Economic Gates (Ekonomichna vrata), constructed in 1760 and the monasterys bell tower, which was added circa 17161719. The exterior of the structure was rebuilt in the Ukrainian Baroque style in the 18th century while the interior remained in its original Byzantine style. The cathedral was demolished by the Soviet authorities in the 1930s, but was recently reconstructed after Ukraine gained its independence. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michaels_Golden-Domed_Monastery
23. Church in a Hill (Luxembourg)
(Bamboo leaf for Martin LaBar (going on hiatus) via www.boredpanda.com)

5/30/13
This church is built into the hillside on which it perches. One of the reasons the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has survived as an independent state for a thousand years against such powerful neighbors as Germany and France, is that the area is eminently fortifiable.
24. San Francisco de Asis Church (Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico)
(Bamboo leaf for longhorndave via www.boredpanda.com) San Francisco de Asis Church is a small mission in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. Construction on the church began around 1772 and was completed in 1815 by Franciscan Fathers and its patron is Saint Francis of Assisi. It is made of adobe as are many of the Spanish missions in New Mexico. It a few miles south of Taos Pueblo and has inspired among the greatest number of depictions of any building in the United States. It was the subject of four paintings by Georgia OKeeffe,and photographs by Ansel Adams and Paul Strand. Georgia OKeeffe described it as one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards.
25. Pilgrimage Church(Neviges, Germany)
21/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for seier+seier+seier via www.boredpanda.com) Pilgrimage church designed by Gottfried Bhm and constructed during the period of 1963-1972. The sunken cathedral in autumn colors. Bhm used the terrain to lessen the impact of the enormous church on its small scale context.
26. Church with an A (Madrid, Spain)
22/56
5/30/13
518
Tweet
5k
Like Send
81
Email
(Bamboo leaf for R.Duran via www.boredpanda.com) A Parish Church at the beginning of Alcalde Sainz de Baranda St. (Madrid, Spain).
27. Mr. Ekos Church (The Island, near the beach camp)
23/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Stillframe via www.boredpanda.com) Architects: Eko and Charlie. Built in the 3rd season of Lost series.
28. Grundtvigs Church, (Copenhagen, Denmark)
24/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for seier+seier+seier via www.boredpanda.com) Grundtvigs Church (Danish: Grundtvigs Kirke) is located in the Bispebjerg district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a rare example of expressionist church architecture. Due to its unusual appearance, it is one of the best known churches in the city.
29. Catholic Church (Uruguay, South America)
25/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Pablo Lambrechts)
30. The Felsenkirche a.k.a. Church of the Rock, (IdarOberstein, Germany).
26/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for only_point five via www.boredpanda.com) The Felsenkirche (Church of the Rock ), a church built into a natural niche in the rocks, rises high above the houses of Oberstein. Nicely blends into the mountain, making all this place magical.
31. Don Justos Self Built Cathedral (Mejorada del Campo near Madrid, Spain)
27/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for www.citynoise.org via www.boredpanda.com) Justo Gallego Mart nez is building his very own Cathedral in Mejorada del Campo near Madrid, Spain This is no model cathedral and he is neither a qualified architect, nor engineer, nor bricklayer he is a farmer. The plans have only ever existed in my head and have evolved over time in response to opportunity and inspiration. Nor does he have formal planning permission from the authorities of Mejorada del Campo the town in which it is located (20 km from Madrid under the flight-path to the Barajas airport). He has financed his work by rent from some inherited farmland some of which he has already sold. Donations from supporters and visitors are welcomed. The columns are moulded using old petrol drums, the window arches carry the marks of the tires they were moulded in and bicycle wheels have been used as pulleys. More info: http://www.citynoise.org/article/732
5/30/13
32. Cathedral of Maringa (Parana, Brazil)
(Bamboo leaf for carlosoliveerareis via www.boredpanda.com)
29/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for maria clara de melo) This is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in downtown Maring, Paran, Brazil, measuring 124 m high. It was completed in 1972 and is the tallest church in South America and the 16th tallest in the world. Architect Jos Augusto Bellucci was inspired by the Soviet sputnik satellites when he projected the modern design with conical shape of the cathedral, which was idealized by the archbishop Dom Jaime Luiz Coelho.
33. Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, (Cundinamarca, Colombia)
(Bamboo leaf for -nidyarincon@hotmail.com)
30/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for jeromesutter and olliethebastard via www.boredpanda.com) Catedral de Sal (Salt Cathedral) in Zipaquir, about 25 miles north of Bogot, is an underground church built in a tunnel of salt mines deep inside a salt mountain. It is built into a space left by salt mining; everything you see here is salt. As you descend into the church, you pass 14 small chapels representing the stations of the suffering of Christ. The sanctuary at the bottom has three sections, representing the birth, life, and death of Jesus. The first Salt Cathedral was consecrated in 1954, but structural problems and safety concerns led the authorities to shut down the sanctuary in 1990. The current church was built between 1991 and 1996 about 200 feet below the old sanctuary, again using caves left behind by previous mining operations.
34. Bruder Klaus Chapel (Mechernich, southern Germany)
31/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Florian Seiffert (F*) via www.boredpanda.com) A concrete chapel on the edge of a field in Mechernich, southern Germany, built by local farmers in honor of their patron saint, the 15th-century hermit Bruder Klaus according to icon.
35. Written Stone (Monastery, Romania)
(Bamboo leaf for Daria Xenopo via www.boredpanda.com)
32/56
5/30/13
Local tradition confesses that,during the construction of a railway , at the opening of the a tunnel, it was found an icon painted in stone representing the Holy Trinity. The monastery was built at the opening of the tunnel The monastery was built at the opening of the tunnel on the rock.
36. Church of St. George(Lalibela, Ethiopia)
33/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Dylan Cerling via www.boredpanda.com) Possibly the most famous of Lalibelis churches, the Church of St. George is completely carved out of stone in the shape of a cross.
37. Trendsetters Church (Phoenix, AZ, USA)
34/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Scott Bruce via www.boredpanda.com) Trendsetters Church in Phoenix, AZ, built in 1973 by Neil Frisby as Capstone Cathedral. Im sure Neil Frisby visited Egypt just before designing this church.
38. Chapel in the Rock (Arizona, USA)
35/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for santanartist via www.boredpanda.com) This facinating Roman Catholic church is literally built into the rock. The views from outside are unbelievable but the serenity inside is awesome Some say, that Chapel in the Rock can move even the non-religious.
39. The Wireman Chapel at Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, Florida, USA)
36/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Eckwriter via www.boredpanda.com) A kid on the tour to Eckerd College once said it looked like a Jesus spider from outer space. Inspired by 20th-century architect Eero Saarinen, the Chapel was designed by the highly respected Chicago architectural firm of Perkins and Will. Its key design features are its octagonal shape and in-the-round seating, the oculus at the center of the roof that directs sunlight to the center of the sanctuary, the lower glass panels which reflect light from the water outside to the interior, and the girders which recall the flying buttresses of the medieval cathedral, instilling a sense of timelessness in a contemporary structure.
40. Saint-Michel dAiguilhe chapel (Le Puy-en-Velay, France)
37/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Sacred Destinations via www.boredpanda.com) Perhaps one of the most remarkable sights in France, a chapel perched on a volcanic plug. This is the Rock of Aiguilhe, on the edge of the town of Puy en Velay, in the Auvergne. The Chapelle Saint-Michel has stood there for 1042 years, since Bishop Gothescalk had it built in 962 on his return from a pilgrimage to Santiago del Compostella in Galicia. In 1955 workers found relics under the alter that had been there since it was built.
41.Santuario Madonna della Lacrime (Sicily, Italy)
38/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for sammito antoine via www.boredpanda.com) More info: http://www.madonnadellelacrime.it/eng_santuario.asp
43.The Hermitage(Island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain)
39/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for Azrael Keroak via www.boredpanda.com) The small church, which is usually closed, dates from the 10th century and seems to have come from the Knights Templar. In the year 1053 it was donated, by don Iigo Lpez Lord of Biscay, to the monastery of San Juan de la Pea near Jaca in Huesca. Medieval burials from the 9th and 12th centuries have been found on the esplanade and in the hermitage. In 1593 it was attacked and sacked by Francis Drake. Among other incidents, it has caught fire several times. On the November 10, 1978, it was destroyed in one such fire. Two years later, on June 24, 1980 it was reinaugurated. The hermitage belongs to the parish of San Pelayo in Bakio. The hermitage also houses various votive offerings from sailors who survived shipwrecks. More info: Wikipedia
44. Church of Arbore (Suceava County, Romania)
40/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for cacalin via www.boredpanda.com) The church of Arbore is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Its painted church was the first Moldavian painted church to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The monastery and the commune are named after the boyar Luca Arbore who built the church in 1503. The erection of the church was completed in about 5 months. Its exterior paintings date from 1541 and were made by Drago Coman. Painting the church took about 40 years. More info:Wikipedia
45.The Chapel on the Rock (Allenspark, Colorado, USA)
41/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for jc/pics via www.boredpanda.com) The founder of Camp St. Malo, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti, had for years entertained an idea that one day he would build a chapel on this site. In 1916 he and two friends observed a falling meteor during the night and in his search for the remnants the next morning, he came across a large rock. The beauty of the land inspired the priest and he remembered Jesus words to Peter: Upon this rock, I will build my Church. (Matt 16:18). Vowing one day to build a chapel here, Msgr. Bosetti prayed for nearly 20 years to acquire the funds. During time, he found himself in a constant battle with the Colorado Highway department which had plans to dynamite the enormous piece of granite to both widen and straighten the curve in the road. Eventually, Msgr. Bosetti won the battle and years later, when the chapel became a reality, it was reported that a group of engineers who laid out the road came to the dedication and thanked him for his perseverance. The chapel was designed by noted Denver architect Jacques Benedict. In 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the chapel during his trip to Denver for the World Youth Day and bestowed his personal blessing on the chapel. More info: http://www.saintmalo.org/chapel.htm
42/56
5/30/13
46. Cadet Chapel (Air Force Academy, Colorado, USA)
(Bamboo leaf for Jeff Maurone via www.boredpanda.com) The United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, completed in 1962, is the distinguishing feature of the Cadet Area at the United States Air Force Academy. It was designed by renowned architect Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill of Chicago. Originally controversial in its design, the Cadet Chapel has become a classic and highly regarded example of modernist architecture. The Cadet Chapel was awarded the American Institute of Architects National 25 Year Award in 1996, and as part of the Cadet Area, was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2004. More info: Wikipedia
47.St. Augustine Church (Brookland, Kent, UK)
43/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for kcm76 via www.boredpanda.com) Yes the late 12th century, wooden, bell tower is separate from the rest of the church! Apparently it is the only one of its size and shape in the country. Originally it was open to the elements the cladding being addedin the 15th century. You almost cant take a picture of this lovely church without getting that litter bin or telephone wires (or both) in frame; the litter bin is even in all the guide books! kcm76 More info: here
48.Third Church of Christ, Scientist (Washington, DC, USA)
44/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for rodeomilano via www.boredpanda.com) This building is not only hideous but it is unwelcoming and, as anyone who has seen the J. Edgar Hoover Building would agree, it is extremely difficult and expensive to maintain. It does place undue monetary restrictions on how the church can serve the city because the church has to sink so much into the maintenance of the building. (districtdiaries.blogspot.com) Homepage: thirdchurchdc.org
49.Thorncrown Chapel (Eureka Springs, AR, USA)
45/56
5/30/13
(Bamboo leaf for www.thorncrown.com via www.boredpanda.com) Just outside Eureka Springs in the Arkansas Ozarksitself a divine placelies this small, peaceful, non-denominational chapel. Even as I feel the distance between the organized religion I was raised with and myself grow, places like this remind me of why the underlying faith meant and continues to mean so much to me. Designed by E. Fay Jones in 1979, completed in July 1980. Clinton Steeds More info: http://www.thorncrown.com/
50. Church Birdhouse (Greer, South Carolina, USA)
(Bamboo leaf for Martin LaBar (going on hiatus) via www.boredpanda.com)

5/30/13
A colorful birdhouse, made in the shape of a church, hanging on a fence of someones yard in Greer, South Carolina. The bird living in this church must be a bird-priest raising donations from other birds in a form of seeds. (source: Bored Panda.com)
Guess what is it (find answer here)
Me gusta
A 5.063 personas les gusta esto. S el primero de tus amigos.
Subscribe:
Like 148k
Possibly Related Articles

1.
2. Top 33 Worlds Strangest Buildings (sorted by 4.520 visitors votes) 3.
4. Churches Converted Into Modern Family Homes 5.
6. Top 10 Most Shocking & Bizzare Fountains in the World 7.

5/30/13
8. The Most Beautiful Spider in the World (20 pics) 9.
10. Looking at the World through a Microscope (Part I) Author: Tomas Date posted: Aug 2nd, 2009 Tagged as: Architecture, chapel, church, churches, extraordinary, god, odd, strange, ugly, Weird
What others are reading on BoredPanda
22 Unbelievable Places that are Hard to Believe Really Exist
Worst Client Comments Turned Into Posters
30 Baby Animals That Will Make You Go Aww
20 Worst Advertising Placement Fails
40 Life Hacks That Will Change Your Life
What 200 Calories Look Like in Different Foods
48/56
5/30/13
50 Funniest AutoCorrects Of 2012
Real Life Mowgli: Girl Who Grew Up in the African Wildlife
Photographer Follows His Girlfriend Around The World
33 Hilarious Things You Can Find in Textbooks
40 More Cool Optical Illusions in Photos
Advertise Here
What do you think?
49/56
5/30/13
18 comments

Add a comment
Veni Andrew Founder, CEO at Blackpride Marketing Pty Limited awesome churches, to God be the Glory. Reply 7 Like Follow Post April 29, 2012 at 12:32pm
Danny Dennis Universidad de KwaZulu-Natal Spectacular. Magnificent edifices to the glory of the King. Reply 1 Like Follow Post May 24, 2012 at 3:44pm Follow
John Flair John
send your comments for Worldwide Temple Of Christ Church In Pakistan. this is not My Vision this is the vision of God I need your prayer be a Temple of Christ. any question church.international@disciples.com Reply 2 Like Follow Post August 30, 2012 at 7:47am Follow
John Flair John
worldwide Temple Of Christ Church. Specifications Coming this magnificent building is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. 1. 7th Largest Church in the world. 2. Length -144 meters = 472.440945 feet. 3. Width 124 meters = 406.824147 feet. 4. Height (max) 124 to 144 feet (43.89 meters. Send your comments. Reply Tu Ran Reply 1 Like Follow Post August 30, 2012 at 7:41am Top Commenter 1 Like Follow Post September 21, 2012 at 4:14am Mirzazadeh Neshrin Ay giz ici ama gedimi deil..((( sevmedim men icini... Reply Like September 21, 2012 at 5:45am Tu Ran Top Commenter
Really perfect! thank U! especially 14 is ma fav!
U mean Barcelona or ? Reply Like September 21, 2012 at 5:46am View 13 more
F acebook social plugin
125 comments Leave a message...

Best Community Matt Galigan
13
Share
3 years ago
Really surprised not to see the Baha'i House of Worship in Willamette, IL on the list. http://www.flickr.com/photos/i...
50/56
5/30/13
see more
Reply
Share
Matt Galigan 2 years ago
sweetzel ann garcia
im verry happy you like churh there are the same iam pilipino you are chritian or other religion am i am sweetzel ann
Reply Guest Share
Matt Galigan 2 years ago
Or the Baha'i House of Worship in India!

Reply Share
Guest a year ago
Robadodejahson
its nice to consider Baha'i as Christian but I don't believe they do themselves or do they. if all Quasi Christian cults and sects were considered the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City will definitely be in the Top 10. Just love it though an Anglican.
Reply Justin
Share
3 years ago
There were some outstanding and beautiful churches on this list. However, I've got a few problems: 1. Where is the Cologne Cathedral? 2. Where is St Peter's Basilica? 3. Where is the Catherdal of Notre Dame? 4. There are WAY too many ugly modern churches on here. 5. There aren't anywhere near enough of the beautiful gothic and baroque style churches and cathedrals. 6. And wtf is up with that stupid birdhouse at the end?
4 1 Reply Share
Lysysloik
Justin a year ago
1. in cologne 2. rome 3. paris 4. no 5. so? 6. joke

3 1 Reply Share
Jennifer_taha 1
Justin a year ago
Every church is beautiful because it is God's home, watch your mouth young man,
Reply Michael Share
Jennifer_taha 9 months ago
Actually, we are the church. God does not reside in temples made of stone any longer, but He lives in His people.
Reply Prateek Panchal
Share
2 years ago
The world is so beautiful!!!!!........Loved all the 50 places pictures!!!!......Cheers!!!! Basilica de guadalupe

2 Reply Share
51/56
5/30/13
Prateek Panchal

2 years ago
WOW....THESE CHURCHES DESERVES TO BE AMONG TOP 50......CHEERS!!!!!! Notre Dame Cathedral

2 Robert
Reply
Share
3 years ago
I'll excuse the panda for not finding salvation in Sin CIty. But the Guardian Angel Cathedral is worth both a mention and a visit when in Las Vegas. Built in 1961 with mob financing, this modernist cathedral is right off the Vegas Strip. http://www.flickr.com/photos/r... The stained glass window titled "The Mask of Reality" includes now-demolished casinos and the iconic atomic symbol as part of its composition. http://www.lasvegas-diocese.or... Other links: http://www.library.unlv.edu/ar... http://www.flickr.com/photos/e...
see more
Reply
Share
IVAN SUAZO TOLEDANO
11 months ago
LE FALTO LA PRINCIPAL: LA CATEDRAL DE SANTA MARIA LA MENOR, LA CATEDRAL PRIMADA DE AMERICA, DONDE PRIMERO SE CANTO Y OFICIO MISA Y CULTOS EN EL NUEVO MUNDO, AOS DEL DESCUBRIMIRENTO DESDE EL 1492, EN LO ADELANTE. .SANTO DOMINGO DE GUZMAN, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA.
1 T. B. 1 Webling 1 Aga

Reply
2 years ago
Share
Oh. I was expecting St. Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo would be included.

Reply Share
3 years ago
Love Mr. Ekos Church :-D

Reply
3 years ago
Share
And where is the Cologne Cathedral (aka Klner Dom) in Germany? 144.5 m long, 86.5 m wide and 157 m tall and built for over 600 years! Really huge and most beautiful gothic church that I have ever seen!
1 kalo 1 Roshan 1 Chris

Reply
4 years ago
Share
where is BASILICA DE GUADALUPE ???

Reply Share
4 years ago
I'm surprised you didn't mention some LDS Temples. Some of these are beautiful too.
Reply
4 years ago
Share
Number 34 is by Peter Zumthor, a Swiss architect and the most recent winner of the Pritzker Prize. You can
5/30/13
Number 34 is by Peter Zumthor, a Swiss architect and the most recent winner of the Pritzker Prize. You can see the board form lines in the concrete. 15th century farmers would never have been able to pull that structure off.
1 welp
Reply
4 years ago
Share
I'm surprised the monastery from the bond film "for your eyes only" isnt up here. That place was pretty awesome.
1 Srust
Reply
Share
2 months ago
Seriously?! Have you not heard of or seen the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California? That totally should have been here instead of a church birdhouse.
Reply Share
Leo, Lombardi-gates Reply SirrealDeal
3 months ago
The Catholic Church has the most beautiful churches in the world. Thanks for the pictures, cheers.
Share
5 months ago
The church at Little Bethlehem, Monroe, GA U.S.A. Should be added to this list.
Reply christina
Share
7 months ago
EREMO DI SAN COLOMBANO, ROVERETO, ITALY check it out!

Reply Masaccio
Share
7 months ago
Any list which doesn't include the Dome of Florence is almost worthless.
Reply Ernest Alexander Reply punk2 0
Share
10 months ago
All churches are wonderful,but lt should be filled with people

Share
10 months ago
wow..I am not Christian but some of these are just fantastic...really beautiful...there is something about a house worship for any religion that has a sense of calm and serenity around it. At least that's what i feel. beautiful collection even if some are missing as most people on here say. But if you think about it, in that sense, it would be impossible to add all the churches, the list would be huge and there will always be one that they forgot to add to the list. Kudos :)
Reply Georgiasmum
Share
10 months ago
There's a groovy church underground in Coober Pedy, Central Australia.

Reply Pmitra
Share
a year ago
Disappointed that St Isaac's of St Petersburg or St Paul's of London is not in this agust list.
Reply Omar Mejia
Share
a year ago
Modern Churches suck...Old school stone is the way to go. Immortal just like our father.
Reply Paus
Share
a year ago
53/56
5/30/13
This are not the most beautiful, i saw gorgeous buildings in france, in mexico most of them are amazing... this post is syupid in many ways
Reply Pete
Share
a year ago
Where is the Frauenkirche in Dresden Germany?!

Reply Pavan
Share
a year ago
please y can u send me the photos to my mail address pavan121985@gmail .com i am from a poor village and i will show to all my near and dear plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz a kind request
Reply Crookcole
Share
a year ago
A stupid birdhouse has a place on here???? what about all the mormon temples... like the san diego one!!!
Reply Nina
Share
a year ago
Well thank you for inspiration:) Have visited two churces from the list - Las Lajas and Zipaquira Salt Cathedral in Colombia. Worth seeing both.
Reply Thiagomelo17
Share
a year ago
Have two churts very beautiful in brazil not posted here...are someone of most beautys churchs of worl. they call : 1- CATHEDRAL DA S - in So Paulo-BRAZIL and is on of most greats churchs gothic style of world. and 2 church is - IGREJA BOM JESUS DA LAPA - in Bahia -Brazil, this second is inside a great cave. very beautiful...And the BASILICA NOSSA SENHORA APARECIDA - Translated in english: Our Lady of Aparecida. So Paulo situed - Brazil.
Reply Mark Baker
Share
a year ago
So you picked all the modern churches you could find? Not a single of the actual top 50 churches in the world is one here ...
Reply Garth
Share
a year ago
Go to Google Images and type in Crystal Cathedral. It should be on the list... http://www.google.com/search? q...
Reply Dbryanwhite7 Reply w8 lu

Share
a year ago
Disappointed that St. Mary's in San Francisco did not make the list
Share
a year ago
great collection, thanks for sharing...

Reply Mere Inkling
Share
a year ago
Many beautiful churches here . . . although I have mixed feelings about using a church to mask obvious missile silos (St Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church).
Reply Purplemeg
Share
a year ago
i am doing a class project. Do you know the architects who did these? www.boredpanda.com/50-most-extraordinary-churches-of-the-world/
54/56
5/30/13
Reply Crookcole Share
i am doing a class project. Do you know the architects who did these?
Purplemeg a year ago
google it
Reply Purplemexi
Share
a year ago
wow never seen any thing like these

Reply danishboy
Share
a year ago
what about the roskilde cathedral unesco list for been the church with most kings buried. there are kings dating back to the 13th century and its a beutiful church
Reply Herbie
Share
a year ago
Surprised that liverpools cathedrals aren't on the list, the Anglican and the metropolitan
Reply Jaxkr
Share
a year ago
Very cool!
Reply Nelson Oliver
Share
a year ago
God Bless us
Reply Nelson Oliver
Share
a year ago
Its a beautiful world of GOD praise the LORD JESUS. Amen

Reply nomadic tv
Share
2 years ago
have you seen this one... http://isla-dulce.blogspot.com...

Reply Uleyan100
Share
2 years ago
were is lalebela Etiopian church

Reply Share
Load more comments
Comment feed
Subscribe via email
55/56
5/30/13
56/56

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of The World - Bored Panda PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of The World - Bored Panda PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

5/30/13

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

Topic: Architecture , Featured, Latest Posts, Weird

1. The Church of Hallgrmur (Reykjav k, Iceland)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

2. Las Lajas Cathedral (Colombia, South America)

(Bamboo leaf for Jungle Boy via www.boredpanda.com)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

3. Device to Root Out Evil (Calgary, AB, Canada)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

4. Chapel of St. Gildas (Brittany, France)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

5. Shell Church (Huntington Beach, CA, USA)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

6. Notre Dame du Haut (Ronchamp, France)

7. St Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church (Chicago, IL, USA)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

8. Jubilee Church (Rome, Italy)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

9. Grace Fellowship Baptist Church (Baltimore Road in Detroit, Michigan, USA)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

10. Basilica de Higuey (Dominican Republic)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

11. Church in Stykkishlmskirkja (Iceland)

(Bamboo leaf for omarrun via www.boredpanda.com)

12. St. Basils Cathedral (Moscow, Russia)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

13. Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

14. Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Spain)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

15. Paraportiani Church (Mykonos, Greece)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

16. Borgund Stave Church (Lrdal, Norway)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

17. The Green church (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

18. Church Ruins (Goreme, Turkey)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

19. Duomo, Milan Cathedral (Milan, Italy)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

20. Paoay Church a.k.a St. Augustine Parish (Philippines)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

21. Cathedral of Brasilia (Brasilia, Brazil)

(Bamboo leaf for = xAv = via www.boredpanda.com)

(Bamboo leaf for Victor Soares, Agncia Brazil via www.boredpanda.com)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

22. St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery (Kiev, Ukraine)

23. Church in a Hill (Luxembourg)

(Bamboo leaf for Martin LaBar (going on hiatus) via www.boredpanda.com)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

24. San Francisco de Asis Church (Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico)

25. Pilgrimage Church(Neviges, Germany)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

26. Church with an A (Madrid, Spain)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

28. Grundtvigs Church, (Copenhagen, Denmark)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

29. Catholic Church (Uruguay, South America)

50 Most Extraordinary Churches of the World | Bored Panda

(Bamboo leaf for Pablo Lambrechts)