Apparently churches are so amazing here because they were part of the town selling themselves as a place to develop commerce. They wanted the spires to be as high as possible, the buildings to reflect latest technologies and set new architectural styles. All of this was meant to attract business, investment, and commerce.
We’ve seen four amazing churches in the last two days. First is the basilica St. Therese in a small town that was nearly entirely destroyed during WWII named Lisieux. Built in the 1920’s in the byzantine style, it was unlike any church that I have seen before. It is an amazing and surprisingly recent building -- it seems ancient. There is a crypt underneath that has mosaics that take your breath away. Sterling’s comment was that this church reflected a happier view of religion than did anything he saw in Rome.
The second church, the cathedral in Rouen, is a beautiful example of a different style and era. Built in medieval times, Monet painted this cathedral many times and it reflects the gothic style of ‘reaching toward God’ – tall, with multiple spires this cathedral was quite damaged with the April 1944 bombings and the repairs do not cover the damage. But, the grandeur is not necessarily diminished by the remaining physical damage, it does seem more vulnerable though.
We visited a much smaller church in Honfleur that is the only wooden church in Normandy. It reflects the Romanesque style that the Danes brought with them (it reminded me a modest version of the cathedral in Roskilde). The church was framed and built of wood and inside you feel that you are inside an upside down ships hull. It is quite exquisite.
Finally, we visited the new church in Rouen (built in the 1970's) that replaced the church bombed out on the place where St. Joan of Arc was burned. The folks of Normandy removed the stained glass windows of the original church and hid them from the Germans during WWII. Fortunately they did this but the real damage was done by the American bombers in the Normandy struggles in April 1944 and the old church was destroyed. The new church is framed by metal with wooden surfaces and again it is like being inside the upside down hull of a large wooden ship. The old windows are intact and frame the north wall of this remarkable structure. This church has a most remarkable feeling of peace.
So, here is the difference between a cathedral, basilica, and church:
Cathedrals house the bishop and have special altars that the bishops (and higher order members of the clergy) use when they officiate at services. Weddings, funerals, mass, baptisms can all take place in cathedrals.
Basilicas are only used for limited activities. They can have mass there. But no marriages, no baptisms or funerals can be held there.
Churches – any activity related to the church can be held there – baptisms, marriages, funerals, masses.
Not sure how I made it this long not knowing this!
Happy 4th of July!!!
