People of today and tomorrow need this enthusiasm [of wonder] if they are to meet and master the crucial challenges which stand before us. Thanks to this enthusiasm, humanity, every time it loses its way, will be able to lift itself up and set out again on the right path. In this sense it has been said with profound insight that “beauty will save the world” (§16).

~Pope St. John Paul II, Letter to artists, titled: “The Saving Power of Beauty”

The latter half of the 20th century brought its share of poor church architectural design, moving away from the ornate splendor and magnificence of the cathedral, toward (in many instances) the sterile, bland, and nondescript.

Fortunately, recent years have brought a renaissance in sacred architecture, with architects such as Duncan Stroik and James McCrery designing a collection of beautifully-designed, traditional churches. That trend is also manifest in the growing number of traditional renovations recently, a number of which can be seen below.

Enjoy:

1. St. Theresa’s: Sugarland, TX

2. St. Louis Church, Memphis, TN

3. St. Peter the Apostle, Lake Charles, LA

4. Holy Name, Brooklyn, NY

5. St. Genevieve Catholic Church

6. St. Mary’s: Fennimore, WI

7. Holy Trinity, Westminster, CO

8. St. Mary’s, Durand, IL

9. St. Bede: Holland, PA

10. St. Coleman, Washington, Ohio

11. Jesuit High School Chapel, Tampa, FL

12. Unknown parish, U.S.

13. Monastery of the Infant Jesus of Prague, Traverse City, MI

Do you have before & after renovation photos of your parish to share? Send it to us and we’ll feature it in part 2.

Please feel free to share this article: