To most Christians the world over, when it comes to places of worship, the focus is not on the building itself, but rather on who is being worshipped. It is that sense of reverence that makes believers want to worship in a facility that honors God. That is why you will find that some ministries go above and beyond to build a church that is perfect in every sense of the word. But, it is also important to understand that there are talented people behind all these majestic places of worship; that is the church building designers who are able to bring people’s visions to life.
Although there are many well-designed churches in different parts of the world, there are some that stand out amongst the rest. The architectural beauty of the churches discussed below is unparalleled.
St. Basil’s Cathedral
One cannot talk about iconic church building designs and not talk about St. Basil’s Cathedral. This cathedral is located in Russia and it was completed in 1560. Although it is no longer a place of worship, a museum, it is and will always be one of the most uniquely beautiful buildings in the world. Legend has it that upon completion of the building project, Ivan the Terrible ordered that the builders of the cathedral be blinded so that they would never be able to build something so magnificent for anyone else.
Originally, the cathedral was all white, with golden onion domes. Several additions have been made since then. For instance, the bell tower which was built in the 17th century, as well as a new roof and decorated domes. The last change was done in 1860 when it was re-painted to create the beautiful structure we see today.
King’s College Chapel
Another stunning place of worship is the famous King’s College Chapel located at the University of Cambridge in England. Its unique architectural features make it one of the most admired building structures in the world. Construction began in 1446 and the chapel was completed in 1515. One of its most outstanding features is the unique fan vault; it is the biggest in the world. This fan vault is made up of an elaborate collection of stone ribbing. The chapel also boasts 12 beautiful and huge arched windows on each side, made of colorful stained glass. This building is still used for its original purpose; that is as a place of worship.
Master’s Plan Church Design & Construction
As mentioned earlier, there are brains behind the wonderful church designs we see all over the world. In order to ultimately get to the point where a church is designed and built, the starting point is having a master plan. Basically, a master plan is an all-inclusive analysis of any given ministry’s long-term goals and how such goals interface with the church design and construction.
In other words, the master plan has to do with taking into account how the church building is going to be used and what needs to be done in order to satisfy the various needs of the ministry. It is important to put it on the table and discuss your current and future goals as a church. Although the preparation and planning stage is not necessarily an exciting stage, it is vital to the overall success of the project. A well-thought-of plan actually helps to make the rest of the project go smoothly. Ideally, the master plan should consist of the following processes:
1. Due Diligence and Viability
For your project to be a success, it is necessary to first calculate how much the entire project is likely to cost. You cannot start a big project such as building a church without first conducting some due diligence and determining whether it is feasible to proceed or not.
2. Coming up With a Design That is Within the Budget
The next step involves the design process. The design must meet all your budgetary and ministry needs. This part of the process is usually tiresome and painstaking. But, it is extremely important because it provides precise design parameters which ensure that the project design remains within the budget.
3. Bidding and Permit
This stage involves selecting the right people to finish the project. It is not just about getting a couple of bids and selecting the lowest price. It is about choosing experienced, skilled and trustworthy partners who will help to bring your vision to life.
Construction Management
This is the final part of the project; the actual construction of the church building. It is important to ensure that the construction process is managed in a transparent way that allows you to have sufficient control and flexibility.
A lot goes into constructing a functional and yet beautiful church building. Make sure that you choose the right church design firm to assist you with your project; one which has the requisite expertise and experience.
