Most Effective Places of Worship: 2004
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?
My favorite Florence church
After a semester in Florence, I discovered my favorite church - the Basilica of San Minato al Monte, just up (another) flight of steps from Piazalle Michelangelo. The view is great, and its peaceful atmosphere is just what the traveler needs after the hustle and bustle of the other Florence churches! A side trip to Paris reveals Notre Dame during Saturday night vespers to be pretty awesome, too.
Liz
Langhorne, PA USA Mon 12/20/2004
Try the smaller churches.
The bigger, more well known churches are grand. And choral evensong in St Paul's, London or some other historic church is wonderful. But I prefer going to the smaller parish churches.
Not far from St Paul's is St Martin-within-Ludgate. It's another Christopher Wren church, but on a much more medest scale. I attended mid-day Eurcharist there, and afterwards the folks invited me to stay for tea and biscuits. So, we crammed in around a table in the back of the church. Our company included a young royal who works in the financial district nearby. It was all very charming and uplifting.Don't confuse this with St Martin-in-the-Field.
Michael
Edmonton, Canada Mon 12/06/2004
The Duomo in Florence
I attended mass at teh Duomo in Florence and it was an experience that is always very fresh in my memory. After Mass, I was approached by an elderly priest who spoke to me and asked about my reasons for being there that particular day. We talked for a very short amount of time, but Father Alexander made a lasting impression on me. I will always have a spot in my heart for the Duomo and Father Alexander. I beleive my prayers were answered because he told me he would pray for me.
C R
VA USA Thu 11/18/2004
sacred sites
i was impressed by wells cathedral.in fact all cathedrals knowlton grange and hill forts of britain bradbury rings and avebury
joshi
eastligh, Uk Sun 11/14/2004
Most spiritual churches
On Good Friday, in 1999, my 15 yr old daughter and I were visiting the Bohemian town of Cheb, in the Czech republic.
While wandering the beautifully maintained medieval town square, we heard chanting coming from The Baroque Cathedral of St. Nicholas at the bottom of the square.We felt drawn to the church, and entered thru the ancient, heavy wood doors. Inside it was dark, save for candlelight. Elderly women in headscarves were weeping, and the priests in their robes walked slowly down the aisles, waving incense. This was quite a sight for a couple of Northwest Lutherans! The service concluded with a beautiful hymn. I can honestly say that I felt God in that room, more so than any other church I have visited. It remains the high point of my first visit to Europe.
R.M. Froelich
Lynnwood, WA USA Thu 10/14/2004
Behavior in a church
When you visit a church, please be respectful if there is a service going on. Please dress appropriately, (i.e. not as if you are going to the beach) and do not talk during the service or take photographs.
I was attending church in Vienna one Sunday morning in May, I think. A stream of American tourists were wandering around the church, in tank tops and shorts and cameras hanging around their necks. They paid no attention to the fact that a Mass was going on. They chatted to each other, gawked at the stained-glass windows, and one of them even walked up to the pew I was sitting in and asked, "What's the name of this church?"
I could hardly believe the way they acted. Yes, I know that it's Sunday and most everything in Austria is closed, but that doesn't mean the church is there to entertain you. Have respect for others and for the church itself, and please, never treat a place of worship as nothing more than a tourist attraction. And absolutely, positively NEVER disrupt a worshipper during a service.
I just had to get that off my chest. Thank you.
Melinda H.
CA USA Sun 09/19/2004
Have you seen the church in Madeira where the Christ figure is portrayed as stepping off the cross? Great symbolism for Christians!
Casa Grande, AZ USA Sat 08/14/2004
Quiet and contemplative in Paris
I have to recommend Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, right beind the Louvre, particularly the chapel with the sacrament that is just on right as you enter. This was my favorite Paris church. After the empty, heartbreaking cattle call atmosphere of Notre Dame, this was particularly wonderful. Don't wear shorts.
Ellen CB Vest
Washington, DC USA Mon 08/02/2004
Vatican
Saint Peters Basilica is one of the most beautiful Churches ever - at 7am before all the tourists arrive!
Becky
USA Fri 07/30/2004
Canterbury, England
During my mother's and my trip to Europe in June of 2003, we stayed in Canterbury, England, after our journey from Paris. Despite the fact that I was recovering from the flu, I was amazed with my experience of Canterbury Cathedral. It wasn't crowded, and the overwhelming feeling of light and warmth touched my heart. I believe in God, but I am not Christian, so I was surprised to have a spiritual experience in a church. However, the unmistakeable presence of Spirit in the architecture and decor of the placce, as well as the people who run it, affected me. I was moved to buy a small silver copy of the equal-armed cross on the wall, and am wearing it even as I type this, a year later. Your experience may vary, but mine was very positive.
Violetta Shekinah
Richmond, VA USA Tue 07/20/2004
Cloistered Convent in Seville
If you are in Seville, it is worth visiting the Santa Paula Convent, which includes an order or cloistered nuns founded in the 1600s. Although the wonderful adjoining church, which dates to the XV century, is usually closed, the convent museum is worth the trip. One of the nuns, Sor Maria Bernarda, has received special dispensation to give tours to visitors, and she is alone is worth the USD2 admission. Sor Maria will show you priceless treasures, cribs and statues, the highlight of which is a Nativity scene that includes scenes from everyday life, including the slaughtering of a hog! The convent is open every day except Monday. Best hours to visit are from 10 to 1 pm. Afternoon hours are also posted, but we haven't tried them. The nuns also sell jams, cookies and candy.
Jean-Marie
Washington, DC USA Sun 07/18/2004
Tuscan churches that shine
Sant'Antimo abbey about 10 minutes outside of Montalcino. Stark but beautiful, make sure you're there when the monks come in and chant. You'll never forget it. Also, San Galgano outside of Monticiano. The cathedral itself is a ruin, but you can actually feel currents of history in your feet as you walk the grass and watch pigeons chase each other through empty arches. The chapel up the hill contains San Galgano's sword in the stone.
Jake Allen
Columbia, MO USA Sat 06/26/2004
Melk Abbey Church - Noon Service
The Melk Abbey church is recently restored and shines! The noon service (called a Mass but basically a prayer service) was 15 peaceful minutes that also fit perfectly into the day trip by train and boat from Vienna. The service started with a monk bringing out a portative organ, playing an opening piece, and then prayers, a psalm, the reading of a lesson, a couple of songs, and a quiet exit from the church.
Niels Nielsen
Bethesda, MD USA Mon 06/21/2004
Effective? Maybe just effected...
I am not sure about being the most "effective" but my experience at San Zulian in Venice was certainly unique. I got there early as I wanted to go to Mass in English and was relaxing before the service. All of the sudden the Padre came up to me and asked if I was attending the service. When I affirmed that I was, he said, "Good, you do the readings!" There was no way to say no so I did it, even though I am not the best of readers when I am not sure of the passage. My only gaff was I took the lectionary back with me when I was done, thinking that the priest had his own--WRONG! Boy was my face red when I had to bring it back to him. I guess I am a sucker for punishment because I'll be back in Venice in Sept. and I'll be visiting San Zulian........
Glenda
Renton, WA USA Thu 06/17/2004
Roma
My favourite church in Rome is the Santa Maria sopra Minerva, near the Pantheon. The ceiling is painted a dark blue with stars- just like the night sky. It's breathtaking. We went outside and the Priest, Padre Ricardo, was talking to, then playing football with a group of children.
Ashley King
Victoria, BC Canada Thu 06/10/2004
Churches
After tracing my family back to Durham, England I knew I had to attend an Evensong service at Durham Cathedral. The stained glass, gorgeous Norman architecture, and heavenly boy's choir moved me to tears.Truly a highlight of our trip.
Jan D. Newsom
Nashville, TN USA Mon 04/26/2004
Most Effective Places of Worship
The Most Effective Places of Worship are those that change lives for the better. They do it will the least amount of overhead, and the most of volunteer teachers. The Most Effective Places of Worship are those that in every way are the most successfull.
Dean Youngkeit
Willard, Utah USA Tue 04/06/2004
Lent in London
Saint Pauls in London has a beautiful service during Lent sung by a boys choir
the structure is under renovation on the outside
We saw lines during the week to get in but on Sunday we had no trouble getting in for service.
tobi jardines
pasadena, ca USA Sat 03/20/2004
churches and cathedrals
Visiting the churches and cathedrals in the cities we travel to is always interesting. I agree with those who were impressed with Chartres, St. Chapelle, St. Paul's, etc. However, my favorite is the small country church of St. Eadburgha built in 972. It is the Cotswold town of Broadway on the Snowshill Rd. It is still used--flowers were arranged on altar for the service the next day. I can only imagine attending a wedding there!
Susan
Atl, Ga USA Mon 02/09/2004
Ste - Mere Eglise
We went to several Churches during our trip to Europe, including the Vatican, the Pantheon in Rome, Notre Dame in Paris, and the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, among others. However, being a WWII enthusiast, I was truly overwelmed in the small church in Ste Mere Eglise, France. There is a "dummy" parachutist hanging from the front side of the church in memory of John Steele and the men who died there. Inside, there are two very inspiring stained glass windows depicting the 82nd Airborne. If you look on some of the walls, inside and out, you can still see some bullet holes from the intense fighting there on DDay.
Robert
San Diego, CA USA Wed 02/04/2004
Santa Maria della Vittorio
We visited this church, near the Piazza Repubblica to see Bernini's statue St. Therese in Ecstasy. While we were there, we felt more like welcomed parishoners than tourists, which is not something I can say of every church in Rome. The priests there made a point of welcoming my children. When a priest noticed me explaining the rosary to my children (we're obviously not Catholic), he gave them ones of their own. We found that very touching.
Jill
Washington, DC USA Sun 02/01/2004
Most effective Churches
I had the good fortune to be an international polling station supervisor in Kosovo in 2001. I had the even better fortune of discovering the Orthodox monastery church of Gracanica, 9 kilometers from Pristine, a Serb enclave. Quite small, impeccably designed and built in the early 1300's. From my journal: 'perfectly proportioned, dimly lit, and very moving in an old medieval kind of way. Old, OLD frescoes cover everything. At the center of the floorplan's cross, it is so dark it feels like the saints themselves are in the adjacent narthex. I have never been in a building that felt so spiritual.'
Gerard Del Monte
Mt. Vernon, WA USA Fri 01/16/2004