Explain how the followers of Christianity may feel that the buildings in which they worship, and the type of worship itself may assist them in their life and belief
There are a number of different types of church today; the main types are Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Church of England and Free Churches. Each of these have their own style of buildings and worship. A Christian’s choice of where they worship depends upon how they were brought up, what their personal needs are, what church they were in when they became a Christian and who they marry.
Church appearances are different to look at and may influence a Christian on where they worship. On a field trip to a Catholic Cathedral, St Thomas’s C of E Church and Sawyers Church we found similarities and differences. The Cathedral is a modern building with no graveyard but has statues in the grounds, which helps remind Christians of the Virgin Mary and what Jesus did for them. St Thomas’s is in keeping with the Church of England tradition of being in the shape of a cross, with a steeple and a graveyard. Christians believe that steeples are associated with contacting God as they cause people to look up and focus on heaven. Sawyers Church is a simple hall that is in-keeping with the surrounding buildings with no graveyard. People who attend high churches such as the Catholic Cathedral and St Thomas’s may feel that to worship God, you must be in a building that glorifies Him, whereas people who go to free churches may feel that the attitude of their heart is more important than the building they are worshipping in.
