Most Effective Places of Worship: 2008
European communities have devoted the sweat and wealth of countless generations into building their places of worship. Some are cold and empty; others inspire prayer. They are "effective" in that they produce a very definite and powerful response. Which European churches, mosques, temples, or other places of worship affected you the most?
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Koln Catherdral
Attended a Sunday a.m. service at Koln's Catherdral. The service was in side area of main alter, I take it was mostly local people. The space is great. What really set it off was the "calling" of the bells before the service. It was hypnotic.
Andrew Dewittt
OSHKOSH, WI USA Mon 12/22/2008
Monday Peace Service, St. Nicholas Church, Leipzig
While in Leipzig in September, we were strolling past St. Nicholas Church on Monday evening. We heard music and saw people going in, so we decided to join in. I know enough German that I could sing the hymns, though we had no idea what was going on. Someone would read, we would sing, someone would read, someone played a flute. It went like that for about 45 minutes, ending with an amazing organ improvisation on the last hymn. We were quite moved and definitely felt a spiritual kinship with the other people there.
Only the next day did we learn that we had attended the famous Monday-evening Peace Service, which has been going on here since 1982. People left this service in 1989 and were joined in the square by thousands carrying lighted candles. This was the first of many peaceful demonstrations that led to the fall of communism. Powerful stuff!
Myra
Athens, GA USA Wed 11/12/2008
Not the Typical Church Experience?
On my first trip to Italy, I had anticipated seeing all the fabulous art by artists I had only read about, and it was truly beautiful. However, I am also a Catholic, and I may have been the only one in all of Italy feeling this way, but after my third big church experience, I was beginning to feel frustrated. (Someone else said it was like Six Flags Over Jesus) Yes, the art was everything and then some, but I found myself disturbed by the crowds who were completely oblivious to those who were actually there to worship. The vast majority of visitors hurried through the churches with tours and it seemed to me that in these glorious structures that were built with stories painted, frescoed, tiled and carved over every inch of them so even the most illiterate human could understand, the real glory of the churches, the focus of all that art - God - was completely missed! Never have those churches been so full and at the same time so empty in their history. My personal solution, then, was to avoid the bigger churches and seek out the smaller (and much more abundant!) neighborhood churches. I may never have known the artists whose work adorned their walls but I was able to sit and pray undisturbed, light a real candle (not flip a switch on an electric one), and enjoy lesser works of art, perhaps, but also the company of other worshippers. This is what filled my heart and soul.
Mary Kay <email>
Ellensburg, WA USA Sat 10/04/2008
Hofkirche (Court Church) Innsbruck, Austria
While exploring Innsbruck, Austria early one morning, my husband and I were drawn to some beautiful music drifting out of a Hofkirche Church. It was musicians practicing and polishing for Easter Monday Mass. What a lovely experience! We sat on the back row, closed our eyes and listened to what felt like a private concert of heavenly music! The doors were open, and worshippers were free to come and go. Some folks came in just to snap photos of the beautiful church & left. Sometimes you just need to slow down & enjoy! What a great "Back Door" experience!
Lauren
Fort Walton Beach, FL USA Wed 07/09/2008
Easter at the Frauenkirche
My daughter and I got up on Easter morning to discover that we couldn't get our car out of our Munich parking garage until 10 am. So we followed the crowds and the church bells to the Frauenkirche cathedral in central Munich.
The church was packed (standing room only) for Easter mass. Although we are not Catholic, we felt a kinship to our fellow worshipers there, who, like us, were paying homage to God.
Since my German is pretty weak, the music was the highlight of the mass. With outstanding acoustics, a pipe organ, orchestra, and a choir, it was definitely heavenly.
Ken
Whittier, CA USA Mon 06/16/2008
Mass in Barcelona
Many years ago I attended mass in a large church in Barcelona. I don't even remember the name of the church, but it was full because it was Palm Sunday. The thing I remember most was how well dressed the locals were. The men were in suits, and the women in their best clothing. I was a tourist in t-shirt and jeans. I felt out of place because I looked like a slob. However, no one told me off or gave me a second look (as far as I could tell), so it was a great experience.
Ted
Australia Mon 04/21/2008
Alexander Nevsky and Chartres
Even though it has stood only since the 19th century, stepping into Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral feels like a time transport back to the heyday of the Byzantine Empire.
Also, Chartres Cathedral. Like Mont St. Michel, it hovers on the horizon like a distant mirage. Inside... well, typical of most gothic cathedrals, but huge in size.
Tom <email>
Washington , DC USA Sat 04/05/2008
Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
This lovely blue and gold chapel in a busy part of Paris is the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity and the site of several apparitions of the Virgin Mary. It is always busy with Parisians and out-of-town visitors. The atmosphere inside is charming with mosaic portrayals of the Virgin and the young nun, St. Catherine Laboure whose body is preserved in the chapel There is a gift shop where one can purchase the miraculous medals and have them blessed by the Sisters. The chapel is located in an alley next door to the gourmet food section of the Bon Marche Dept. store. It is a quiet haven in the middle of a busy city. Treat yourself to a visit.
Names: Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal; La Chapelle Notre Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse
Type of site: Catholic shrine
Address: 140 rue de Bac, 7e, Paris, France
Métro: Sevres-Babylone or Saint-Placide
Bus: 39, 63, 70 84, 87, 94
La Chapelle Notre Dame de la Medaille Miraculeuse
Paris, France Thu 02/28/2008
Evensong at Westminster Abbey
Best 45 minutes of my life. Beautiful choir and lovely sermon by visiting rector. Plus, you get to participate in a daily tradition more than 1,000 years old. They seat guests right up front, too! We attended on a Sunday at 3pm. Web site is excellent and so is the gift shop.
Meridith
Cary, NC USA Tue 02/12/2008
A rarity in England...
I've been to St. Anne's Lutheran Church in London a few times. It's mostly filled with American ex-pats. A welcome spot of familiarity, hearing the LBW liturgy!
Andrea
Laramie, WY USA Sat 02/02/2008
Domfestner by Gerhart Richter at the Köln Dom
Domfestner by Gerhart Richter at the Köln Dom
a must see in koln
http://flickr.com/photos/melekalikimaka/2232555611/
Tom <email>
Dublin, Eire Thu 01/31/2008