Church Architecture: Building and Renovating for Christian Worship

We used this book by the Whites in our seminary's class, Church & the Arts. Part of that class deals with architecture, and while it is important to understand the symbolism and artistic/architectural elements in Gothic cathedrals, relatively few seminary graduates in this country will have charge and care of such structures, so the need for a practical approach is also present. The Whites' book is very practical in its orientation. While discussing in general terms the kinds of services that a church conducts, they discuss in some descriptive detail the various considerations on a application level - where will the people sit during a service of word and table, and how will a reorientation to being 'in the round' make things different from the more traditional long-nave arrangement of pews or chairs? How will the acoustics fit the types of preaching, speaking, and music present in the service? Where will people gather before and after services, and what effect does this have on the general flow of things? The Whites do come to things from a theological standpoint - the primary purpose involved in the architectural aspects they highlight have to do with community-building and enhancing common worship from a primarily Protestant/Reformed tradition, but many of the points they make from a practical standpoint can be applicable to church design in Catholic or various Protestant denominations. Specific issues around areas for baptism, communion, and pastoral services may need special adaptation given denominational standards, but other considerations such as energy conservation, resonance for sound, handicapped access and similar issues need to be addressed by all in church planning. The one down-side of this text is that it is so practical and descriptive while leaving only seven pages to the discussion of art and aesthetics as a value in the planning of a church - if, as the Whites write, the church is not simply the building but the community of people gathered, then this aspect of expression and provision for the community cannot be left to a mere afterthought. Anyone who has seen a wonderful church space ruined by an inappropriate-looking (although perfectly functional) piece of furniture or art will know that there needs to be more concern for this. Still, for a great many Christians, this book will be a good introduction to the breadth of possibilities for what can comprise a church building. Many only have experience of a few buildings; this opens avenues of ideas for the structure and layout of many different things, inviting the imagination to wonder at how services would be different in the different styles of church structures.

Dr. Susan White (TCU - Brite Divinity School) and Dr. James White (Drew University & Yale) have collaborated to write this book. It not about architectural styling. It is about the relevant theology that should be considered as one either designs a church building or investigates how an existing facility is used. There is more information on the "why" of church building design instead of the "what" or "how pretty", that one should plan on reading this book over several days, with plenty of time taken for reflection and research into the ideas presented. This is not an "easy" book - it makes one think and pray; however the language is understandable without dumbing down the content. Any architect, minister, trustee, or building committee chair should revew the ideas in this book periodically to stimulate thoughts on whether or not their facility design is supporting the main role of the church - ministry. A church is, after all, not the building the people inhabit; a church is the people involved in the ministries God has called them to co-participate in with Him.