These clever churches are sure to pique your interest even if you're not a devote Christian. In recent years religious architecture has taken a modern and creative turn. Abandoning the usual peaks and spires, these sensational sanctuaries are true stunners. Soothing, serene and dazzling, these curious chapels are sure to capture your interest.
From curvaceous nail-less churches to technicolor temples, religious spaces have undergone an intriguing facelift. Exciting and visually stimulating, these clever churches may inspire you to say a prayer or two. A few pious environments have found a second life and purpose after being transformed into chic living spaces or rowdy bars. Lending their classic religious styling to unlikely surroundings, these converted temples are quirky and awe-inspiring.
Intriguing, creative and gorgeous, these clever churches look like they were heaven sent.
58 Clever Churches
From Transparent Sacred Chapels to Spikey Seed Sanctuaries:
Susan Keefe — Jan 31, 2012 — Art & Design
57
Holy Apartments
Zecc Architecten Converts Catholic Church to Living Space
56
Inflatable Church
Make Your Wedding Cheesy
55
Renovating Religion
Converted Churches as Homes
54
Revamped Religious Interiors
The Bonney Avenue Residence is a Drastic Reno of an 1867 Church
53
Otherworldly Places of Worship
Incredible Religious Architecture Inspires Piety
52
Spherical Photography Effects
Stellar Fantasy Worlds by Five Different Artists
51
Hip Gothic Church Hotels
Kruisherenhotel
50
Converted Church Homes
Religious Renovations
49
Human Bone Chapel
Sedlec Ossuary
48
Lego Replicas
Abston Church of Christ by Amy Hughes
47
Chic Victorian Gothic Abodes
The 'Tin Chapel' is an Old Church Transformed Into a Stylish Home
46
Renovating Religion Part II
Converted Churches as Hotels
45
Blessed Gothic Bars
The Spirito Martini Night Club Lets You Party in a Church
44
Spikey Seed Sanctuaries
The Rosebud Orthodox Church Burgeons Like a Modern Bulb
43
Converted Church Bookstores
The Boekhandel Seleyz Dominicanen is a Dazzling Literature Display
42
Minimalist Churches
Church of the Holy Cross Denmark
41
Residential Houses of Worship
Ruud Visser Architects Turn a Church into a Home Fit for Four
40
Awe-Inspiring Church Architecture
Incredible Places of Worship
39
Huge Holy Houses
Old Church Remodeled into the $7.5 Million 601 Dolores Street Home
38
Angular Arboreal Sanctuaries
The Ecumenical Chapel by AOA Architects Branches Out to All
37
Modernized Religious Institutions
The Holy Family Shrine is an Epic Place of Worship
36
Culinary Church Conversions
The White Rabbit Restaurant
35
Designer Churches
St. Bartholomew's Church by Maxim Velcovsky
34
Flamenco-Inspired Interiors
This Structure by Cheng Gong & Jinming Feng is Influenced by Dance
33
Curvy Contemporary Cathedrals
The San Josemaria Escriva Church Brings New Shape to Church Design
32
Renovating Religion Part III
Before and After Church to Home
31
Midas-Touch Church-Toppers
The Arch-Group and Sade Sarl Design a Futuristic Russian Church
30
Church-Like Incinerators
Erick Van Egeraat Creates the Most Striking Giant Garbage Burner Ever
29
Amored Churches
Religion's Think Tank Goes Literal
28
Rustic Woodland Churches
The Junquillos Chapel is a Picturesque Ecclesiastical Escape
27
Holy Homes
Converted Church Gives New Meaning to Living in the House of God
26
Modern Faceted Mausoleums
The Panteon Nube Looks like a Contemporary Ice Cave
25
Modern Minimalist Prayer Palaces
Alfonso Architects Tampa Covenant Church
24
Colossal Chocolate Churches
White Chocolate Dome of Milan Breaks World Record
23
Cardboard Churches
The 1864 Cathedral in New Zealand Will Be Rebuilt Out of Cardboard
22
Drive-Thru Churches
Chandler Christian Church in Arizona Opens 24/7 Prayer Booth
21
Home-Heating Churches
The Uspenski Cathedral Data Center Will Keep 500 Homes Warm
20
Boob Worship Churches
Pay Your Respects to Breasts at the Karube Shrine
19
Choo Choo Churches
Communities Put Abandoned Train Cars to Good Use
18
Renovated Holy Houses
Zecc Architects Makes Old Church a Home With a Few Altarations
17
Contemporary Concrete Churches
The Sta Columbina Chapel Offers Modern Simplicity
16
Twittering Churches
What Would Jesus Tweet?
15
Church on Youtube
Community Churches Get Digital
14
Illuminated Water Towers
Brunce Munro Gives Salisbury Cathedral a Luminous Makeover
13
Rainbow Churches
Salvation Army Citadel Corps Breaks with Construction Tradition
12
Bars as Churches
"Bars, Women & Fast Food" Exhibits the SoCal Social Scene
11
Transparent Sacred Chapels
The Gijs Van Vaerenbergh Church is Steel and See-Through
10
Seaworthy Churches
The Saint Vladimir Chapel Boat Sets Sail to Spread the Gospel
9
Sustainable Churches
The Kuokkala Church in Finland is a Low-Impact House of Worship
8
The Nazareth Cross
Buy Your Space on The World's Largest Cross
7
White Stripe Churches
The Zhongguancun Christian Church is China's Largest
6
Inflatable Churches
Transparante Kerk is a Pop-Up Church That is the First of its Kind
5
Sculptural Religious Sanctuaries
The Martin Luther Church Focuses on Light and Transparency
4
Yellow Brick Buildings
The Broadcasting Place Would Even Impress The Wizard of Oz
3
Criss-Crossing Churches
The Church of the Resurrection by Nothing Studio
2
First Catholic Church Opens in Qatar
Sign of the Times
1
Architecturally Atypical Churches
These Places of Worship Show Inspired Innovation
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