How Early Christian Churches’ Exteriors Were Created?

In 312, Emperor Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, where he saw a sign in the heavens portending his victory. The sign was described as the Chi Rho, the first two letters in the Greek alphabet. House churches were designed to blend in with their surroundings to lessen the chances of a raid. Once Christianity was legalized, churches were built on the Roman basilica plan, with stone exterior and interior walls and columns, and wood roof over the nave and side aisles.

From Early Christianity to the present, the most significant objects of transformation for Christian architecture and design were the great churches of Byzantium, the Romanesque abbey churches, and Gothic churches. Early Christian architecture penetrated all provinces of the Roman Empire, adapting itself to existing pagan architecture and creating its own forms. Archaeology examines how and when churches were designed, constructed, and changed, and how they contributed to wider society.

The exterior of early Christian churches was plain, unlike classical temples which had decorated pediments, friezes, and metopes. The decoration inside the church was now filled with mosaics, wall paintings, colored marbles, inlaid pavements, gold candelabra, and other elaborate liturgical objects. Early Christians used the same artistic media as the surrounding pagan culture, including fresco, mosaics, sculpture, and manuscript illumination.

Once Christianity was legalized, churches were built on the Roman basilica plan, with wall murals depicting scenes from the Bible, including the parable of the Good. In the 20th century, the use of new materials, such as steel and concrete, has had an effect on the design of churches.

Why are churches shaped like a cross?

The cross-shaped church has been a popular architectural style for centuries, symbolizing the Christian belief that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save humanity from sin.

What was the architecture of the church in early Christianity?

Following the legalisation of Christianity within the Roman Empire, public churches were constructed in accordance with the Roman basilica plan. This architectural style features a colonnade of pillars supporting a roof enclosing a nave.

How would you characterize the exterior of Byzantine churches?

Byzantine architecture is distinguished by a series of imposing characteristics, including clerestory windows, intricate mosaics, imposing columns, and soaring domes. These architectural elements exemplify the influence of Early Christian design principles. The exterior of the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna exemplifies these influences, featuring a rounded shape and a large dome.

How is the church decorated outside?

Outdoor and entrance decor can make your church stand out, incorporating elements like string lights, flags, banners, flower petals, walkway decorations, and aisles lined with Christmas trees. These decorations should reflect your church’s values and bring joy to visitors. Incorporating seasonal decorations can also be a great way to celebrate special occasions throughout the year. Start decorating today to create an inviting and engaging atmosphere for your churchgoers.

How was early Christianity shaped by the Romans?

In 313 CE, Emperor Constantine granted Christianity and other religions legal status in Rome, marking a significant development in the history of Christianity. However, despite this, traditional Roman beliefs remained in place.

How were early Christian churches decorated?

During the reign of Constantine, churches and shrines were constructed throughout the empire, often sponsored by him. These buildings were typically five-aisled basilicas or basilican-plan buildings with a round or polygonal shrine. Large-scale sculpture was not popular, but relief sculptures on sarcophagi and ivory carvings were produced. Church walls were decorated with paintings or mosaics to instruct the faithful. The art of this period had roots in the classical Roman style but developed into a more abstract, simplified expression, focusing on spiritual feelings rather than physical beauty.

Human figures became types rather than individuals, often with large, staring eyes, “the windows of the soul”. Symbols were frequently used, and compositions were flat and hieratic to visualize the main idea. Although the art departed from earlier naturalism, it sometimes had great power and immediacy.

How did early Christians incorporate Roman architectural styles into their churches?

Typically Roman in style, house churches comprised multiple rooms arranged around a central courtyard. One room was transformed into a baptistry, where new Christians were baptized as part of their Christian initiation.

What were the exterior of early Christian churches?

The growing cult of martyrs and saints led to pilgrimages to their tombs, usually below the apse. Before the Edict of Milan, Christians worshipped secretly in homes or house churches. After the edict lifted persecution of Christians in 313, the Church assumed a privileged position under the protection of the Roman emperor, necessitating large churches to meet the demands of new congregations. The Roman emperor Constantine sponsored the erection of many churches in Rome, Constantinople, and the Holy Land.

There was no tradition for large-scale Christian building, but the basilica became the most popular form. The basilical plan is a rectangle terminating in an apse, with a long nave flanked by side aisles and lit by clerestory windows. The Christian version of the basilica has a flat wooden ceiling, unlike the Roman precedent.

The exterior of Christian churches was plain, unlike classical temples with decorated pediments, friezes, and metopes. The decoration inside the church was elaborate, with mosaics, wall paintings, colored marbles, inlaid pavements, and gold candelabra. The builders of these churches aimed to create a sacred, mysterious space, with high windows enclosing worshipers and protecting them from the profane world beyond.

What architectural influences were used in the church’s construction?

The mausoleum, a square or circular domed structure, was a significant influence on church architecture. Constantine the Great built a mausoleum for his daughter Constantina, which became a place of worship and tomb. This was one of the earliest centrally planned church buildings. Constantine also built the circular, mausoleum-like Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which influenced the design of other buildings, such as the Church of Saint Stephen in Rome, San Stefano Rotondo, and the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna.

Ancient circular or polygonal churches are rare, with some examples like the Temple Church in London and the Romanesque style churches in Denmark. In parts of Europe, round tower-like churches of the Romanesque period are generally vernacular and of small scale, while others, like the Rotunda of St Martin at Vyšehrad in the Czech Republic, are finely detailed.

How do early Byzantine churches appear from the outside?

Byzantine churches in Ravenna and Constantinople used both basilican and centralized plans, with simple exteriors and gold-shining mosaics. Central-plan churches were organized as galleries surrounding a rotunda, while Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, the most admired church by Justinian, is a spectacular large-scale structure that introduced pendentives and revolutionized the Byzantine church architecture.

Why do early Christian and Byzantine churches have plain exteriors?

The exteriors of early Christian and Byzantine churches are characterized by simplicity, reflecting a focus on interior decoration and the importance of internal space for worship.