Art and Environment

Just as the term Church refers to the living temple, God’s People, the term church also has been used to describe the building in which the Christian community gathers to hear the word of God; to pray together, to receive the sacraments, and to celebrate the Eucharist. That building is both the house of God on earth (domus Dei) and a house fit for the prayers of the saints (domus ecclesiae). Such a house of prayer must be expressive of the presence of God and suited for the celebration of the sacrifice of Christ, as well as reflective of the community that celebrates there.

 Churches, therefore, must be places suited to sacred celebrations, dignified, and beautiful. Their suitability for worship is determined by their ability through architectural design of space and the application of artistic gifts to embody God’s initiative and the community’s faithful response.

Church buildings and the religious artworks that beautify them are forms of worship themselves and both inspire and reflect the prayer of the community as well as the inner life of grace.