I’m a huge fan of horror movies, but also love church architecture and ‘churchwave’ aesthetic (it’s the name of my blog after all). So for this new series that will pop up from time to time, I’m going to write about the churches/chapels featured in horror movies.

The Exorcist

The Exorcist (1976) is quite possible the best religious movie ever, and definitely one of the greatest horror movies of all time. It’s personally one of my favorite films, and upon my most recent viewing, I couldn’t help but be stunned be the amazing aesthetic in the Father Karras’ chapel.

The exterior of the church, shown during the famous ‘desecrated statue scene,’ is a shot of Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart. This chapel is located on Georgetown University’s campus, and is still around today.

I love the color patterns, and especially the design on the front above the doors. It’s located in a little quadrangle with brick pathways, trees, and a fountains. Quite a beautiful little area.

The construction for Dahlgren Chapel began in 1892. Elizabeth Wharton Drexel and John Dahlgren donated 10,000 dollars for the chapel in honor of their son who passed away. Elizabeth was active in overseeing the construction the stained glass windows, which were designed in Germany. They illustrate 16 scenes of biblical and early christian figures, such as Jesus, Mary, Joan of Arc, Ignatius of Loyola, and other saints as well.

During the desecration scene, right before the priest discovers the statue, we see this glimpse of a chapel’s interior. I LOVE this design. The checkered floor and the bright red walls alternating with stone walls and stained glass is a wonderful mixture of old and modern aesthetic.

The church is called “Holy Trinity” in the novel (apparently, it was changed to St. Mike’s in the film. I don’t recall this, but it’s what I read on The Exorcist’s wikia). It is based on a real church by the same name in Georgetown, Washington D.C. (which I will get back to).

As I searched online, I could not find a straight answer to whether this interior shot was filmed in the Holy Trinity D.C., Dahlgren Chapel, or was simply a set constructed just for the movie. When Father Karras is consecrating the Eucharist, the stained glass behind his head looks similar to the stained glass in Dahlgren. However, based on the other architectural differences, I think it as most likely a studio reconstruction.

The Exorcist III

If you haven’t seen The Exorcist III, I highly recommend it. It was written and directed by William Blatty, who wrote the novel and screenplay for The Exorcist. The visual aesthetic and cinematography feel quite similar to the original, and the narrative is great. Furthermore, without giving away any spoilers, there are some amazing scenes and truly chilling moments throughout.