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0 / 30 Fotos
Cardboard Cathedral
- Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the Cardboard Cathedral, formally called the Transitional Cathedral, is an astonishing structure located in Christchurch, New Zealand. A simple A-frame structure composed of paper tubes and containers, the design is truly one of a kind.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Built from 1954 to 1956 into the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross was designed by August K. Strotz.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Church of God the Merciful Father
- A modern jewel in the Tor Tre Teste district in Rome, the Church of God the Merciful Father is the creation of American architect Richard Meier. It was completed in 2003.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Hallgrímskirkja
- Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 244 feet (74.5 m), it's one of the tallest structures in the country.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
Christ Church Lutheran
- Designed by Finnish-American architects Eliel Saarinen and Eero Saarinen in 1948, this Minneapolis church is an architectural gem.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Arctic Cathedral
- This modern concrete and metal church is part of the Church of Norway in Tromsø. Built as a long church in 1965, it seats about 600 people. It's also known as Tromsdalen Church.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Grundtvig's Church
- A rare example of expressionist church architecture, the Grundtvig's Church is one of the best-known churches in Copenhagen. Inaugurated in 1940, it sits up to 1,440 people.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
- Located in San Francisco, the church is also known locally as Saint Mary's Cathedral. Completed in 1971, it had its first Papal Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in 1987.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Cathedral of Brasília
- Designed by famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the cathedral is located in the Brazilian capital, Brasília. Completed in 1970, the structure is constructed from 16 concrete columns, weighing 90 tons each.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
Santa Ana Chapel
- A small chapel built in 2009, the Santa Ana Chapel can be found in a village outside of Porto, Portugal. Built with concrete, it has the capacity for 30 people.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Kamppi Chapel
- Located in Helsinki, Finland, this structure opened in 2012 is also known as the Chapel of Silence since it's intended to be a place to calm down in one of the busiest areas in the country.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel
- Completed in 1962, the chapel is located near Colorado Springs. Originally a controversial design, it has now become a highly regarded example of modernist architecture.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
The Light of Christ's Salvation Church
- The Light of Christ's Salvation Church was designed by Taiwanese architecture firm Ambi Studio and inspired by Noah’s Ark upon the mountain. This modern church can be found in Taichung, Taiwan.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Coventry Cathedral
- Located in England, the Coventry Cathedral is connected to the 14th-century ruins of the Cathedral Church of Saint Michael. The modern structure was built between 1956 and 1962.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Crystal Cathedral
- This impressive, reflective glass church seats 2,248 people. Located in Garden Grove, California, the church was regarded as the largest glass building in the world when it was completed in 1981. It's also known as Christ Cathedral.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Completed in 1943, the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is was designed by the aforementioned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in the organic modern style. Located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the church is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
Infinity Chapel
- A glass triangular structure, floating in the water, the Infinity Chapel is one of Bali's most famous chapels. Designed in a modern and minimalist style, it certainly is a unique wedding venue.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Madonna delle Lacrime
- Designed by Michel Andrault and Pierre Parat, Madonnina delle Lacrime is a Roman Catholic Marian church in Siracusa, Sicily. Construction began in 1966, but it was only complete in 1994.
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
- Locally nicknamed the Paddy's Wigwam, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral was designed by English architect Frederick Gibberd, who was the winner of a worldwide design competition. Construction began in 1962 and was complete in 1967.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
North Christian Church
- Completed in 1964 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the North Christian Church can be found in Columbus, Indiana. The building is shaped like a hexagon, with a central metal spire that is 192 feet (59 meters) high.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Pauluskerk
- Probably one of the most unusual churches out there, Pauluskerk is a futuristic building by Dutch architect Will Alsop. Completed in 2013, this church can be found in Rotterdam.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Pilgrimage Church
- Designed German architect Gottfried Böhm in 1963, the Pilgrimage Church is located in Neviges, Germany, and is famous for its use of concrete.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Sacred Heart Cathedral of Kericho
- Completed in 2015, Kericho Cathedral is located in Kenya, southwest of Nairobi. With 1,500 seats, the church has a design of an inclined roof and an ascending interior volume.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
San Giovanni Battista
- San Giovanni Battista is a church near Florence, Italy, within a large freeway rest area. Built between 1960 and 1963, the design is meant to reflect both modern and traditional church design.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
St. Mary's Cathedral
- Located in Tokyo, Japan, St. Mary's Cathedral was designed by Japanese architect Kenzō Tange, and was inaugurated in 1964. His funeral was held there in 2005.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
Chapel of Hammarby sjöstad
- Inaugurated in 2002, this chapel is located in the Hammarby sjöstad neighborhood in Stockholm, Sweden. Made mainly of glass, it's a three-story building.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Santo Volto Church
- Inaugurated in 2006, Santo Volto Church is one of the most modern churches in Turin, Italy. It was designed by Italian architect Mario Botta.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
National Shrine of our Lady of La Salette
- Built in 2000, the National Shrine ofOour Lady of La Salette is built in a series of metal and masonry columns with massive windows. It is situated in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Thorncrown Chapel
- Located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Thorncrown Chapel was constructed using organic materials indigenous to the region. Designed by American architect E. Fay Jones, it was constructed in 1980. Sources: (Condé Nast Traveller) (RTF) (Matador Network) See also: Beautiful Islamic architecture from around the world
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Cardboard Cathedral
- Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the Cardboard Cathedral, formally called the Transitional Cathedral, is an astonishing structure located in Christchurch, New Zealand. A simple A-frame structure composed of paper tubes and containers, the design is truly one of a kind.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Built from 1954 to 1956 into the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross was designed by August K. Strotz.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Church of God the Merciful Father
- A modern jewel in the Tor Tre Teste district in Rome, the Church of God the Merciful Father is the creation of American architect Richard Meier. It was completed in 2003.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Hallgrímskirkja
- Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 244 feet (74.5 m), it's one of the tallest structures in the country.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
Christ Church Lutheran
- Designed by Finnish-American architects Eliel Saarinen and Eero Saarinen in 1948, this Minneapolis church is an architectural gem.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Arctic Cathedral
- This modern concrete and metal church is part of the Church of Norway in Tromsø. Built as a long church in 1965, it seats about 600 people. It's also known as Tromsdalen Church.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Grundtvig's Church
- A rare example of expressionist church architecture, the Grundtvig's Church is one of the best-known churches in Copenhagen. Inaugurated in 1940, it sits up to 1,440 people.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
- Located in San Francisco, the church is also known locally as Saint Mary's Cathedral. Completed in 1971, it had its first Papal Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in 1987.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Cathedral of Brasília
- Designed by famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the cathedral is located in the Brazilian capital, Brasília. Completed in 1970, the structure is constructed from 16 concrete columns, weighing 90 tons each.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
Santa Ana Chapel
- A small chapel built in 2009, the Santa Ana Chapel can be found in a village outside of Porto, Portugal. Built with concrete, it has the capacity for 30 people.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Kamppi Chapel
- Located in Helsinki, Finland, this structure opened in 2012 is also known as the Chapel of Silence since it's intended to be a place to calm down in one of the busiest areas in the country.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel
- Completed in 1962, the chapel is located near Colorado Springs. Originally a controversial design, it has now become a highly regarded example of modernist architecture.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
The Light of Christ's Salvation Church
- The Light of Christ's Salvation Church was designed by Taiwanese architecture firm Ambi Studio and inspired by Noah’s Ark upon the mountain. This modern church can be found in Taichung, Taiwan.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Coventry Cathedral
- Located in England, the Coventry Cathedral is connected to the 14th-century ruins of the Cathedral Church of Saint Michael. The modern structure was built between 1956 and 1962.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Crystal Cathedral
- This impressive, reflective glass church seats 2,248 people. Located in Garden Grove, California, the church was regarded as the largest glass building in the world when it was completed in 1981. It's also known as Christ Cathedral.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Completed in 1943, the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is was designed by the aforementioned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in the organic modern style. Located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the church is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
Infinity Chapel
- A glass triangular structure, floating in the water, the Infinity Chapel is one of Bali's most famous chapels. Designed in a modern and minimalist style, it certainly is a unique wedding venue.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Madonna delle Lacrime
- Designed by Michel Andrault and Pierre Parat, Madonnina delle Lacrime is a Roman Catholic Marian church in Siracusa, Sicily. Construction began in 1966, but it was only complete in 1994.
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
- Locally nicknamed the Paddy's Wigwam, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral was designed by English architect Frederick Gibberd, who was the winner of a worldwide design competition. Construction began in 1962 and was complete in 1967.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
North Christian Church
- Completed in 1964 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the North Christian Church can be found in Columbus, Indiana. The building is shaped like a hexagon, with a central metal spire that is 192 feet (59 meters) high.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Pauluskerk
- Probably one of the most unusual churches out there, Pauluskerk is a futuristic building by Dutch architect Will Alsop. Completed in 2013, this church can be found in Rotterdam.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Pilgrimage Church
- Designed German architect Gottfried Böhm in 1963, the Pilgrimage Church is located in Neviges, Germany, and is famous for its use of concrete.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Sacred Heart Cathedral of Kericho
- Completed in 2015, Kericho Cathedral is located in Kenya, southwest of Nairobi. With 1,500 seats, the church has a design of an inclined roof and an ascending interior volume.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
San Giovanni Battista
- San Giovanni Battista is a church near Florence, Italy, within a large freeway rest area. Built between 1960 and 1963, the design is meant to reflect both modern and traditional church design.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
St. Mary's Cathedral
- Located in Tokyo, Japan, St. Mary's Cathedral was designed by Japanese architect Kenzō Tange, and was inaugurated in 1964. His funeral was held there in 2005.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
Chapel of Hammarby sjöstad
- Inaugurated in 2002, this chapel is located in the Hammarby sjöstad neighborhood in Stockholm, Sweden. Made mainly of glass, it's a three-story building.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Santo Volto Church
- Inaugurated in 2006, Santo Volto Church is one of the most modern churches in Turin, Italy. It was designed by Italian architect Mario Botta.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
National Shrine of our Lady of La Salette
- Built in 2000, the National Shrine ofOour Lady of La Salette is built in a series of metal and masonry columns with massive windows. It is situated in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Thorncrown Chapel
- Located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Thorncrown Chapel was constructed using organic materials indigenous to the region. Designed by American architect E. Fay Jones, it was constructed in 1980. Sources: (Condé Nast Traveller) (RTF) (Matador Network) See also: Beautiful Islamic architecture from around the world
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
Stunning modern church architecture around the world
Take a look at these impressive modern churches
© Getty Images
From grand cathedrals to humble roadside buildings, church architecture has always been a field for artistic expression and innovation. And while churches have existed for thousands of years, it doesn't mean that new takes on them can’t continue to amaze. From Reykjavík to Bali, there are many incredible churches that embrace modern architecture.
Want to check out some of these holy architectural gems? Then click through this gallery.
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