Church architecture provides not only shelter from the natural elements but refuge from the clamor of daily life. Often taken for granted, our church buildings are formed around the culture of the community, their history and vision of their future, and their sacramental life, based on the liturgy sustained within. Standing as sacrament themselves, visible signs in the world of a graced presence within, church buildings have served as landmarks, vessels for some of the world’s greatest art, and social centers, solid reminders of Christ acting in the world. Built of Living Stones puts it this way: “The church building is a sign and reminder of the immanence and transcendence of God — who chose to dwell among us and whose presence cannot be contained or limited to any single place” (50).

In this issue of ML, we explore these graced spaces, locating them in the context of this year’s editorial theme of the great commission. Richard Vosko takes us on a guided tour of the role and function of the cathedral church in contemporary life. Carol Frenning explores the symbolic content that defines our understanding of church as icon and instrument of worship. Bill Beard offers an extensive study of sustainable church architecture, seeking ways of constructing and maintaining worship facilities that are symbiotic with the surrounding environment. These very different perspectives lead to the realization that a worship facility is not simply a shelter but is integral to the lives of the local and world community. As architecture, worship facilities are beacons to the world, but the underlying identity of a church building involves multiple dimensions with ramifications that are far-reaching. The building of a church may be one of the most important tasks that any faith community will embark upon. The implications, some of which are touched on in this issue, go far beyond the technical and budgetary implications. Taking into consideration how we pray, how we relate to the community around us, and how we relate to the earth and its resources are far more serious issues. The process also involves a prophetic vision for the future of the faith community and how future generations carry on the work. There are church buildings that are hundreds of years old that still resonate today, and there are some that are only a few decades old that have little pertinence to contemporary communities.

“What makes a church different from any other building is not its form or shape but rather how it facilitates for a particular community of believers a regular unfolding of the Christian mystery, the eternal divine plan for humanity as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ” (BLS 260, quoting The Place of Worship: Pastoral Directory on the Building and Reordering of Churches, introduction). Within these sacred buildings, we learn to live with our eyes fixed on the reign of God, living in eternal time despite the challenges of this life. In these churches, we who are church are born to new life in baptism, serve in that life as we are called, and are born to eternal life when our days on earth are ended. Here we pray the liturgies that foreshadow the heavenly banquet. We find in one another the living stones, joined in faith and strengthened in hope even as the world around us struggles in darkness. We go forth from these places to fulfill the command to love and serve, and we return to be renewed and restored within their embrace. In this way we are able to hold in mind eternity as we are engaged in the paschal mystery day by day.

Lord, you bless with words assuring:
“I am with you to the end.”
Faith and hope and love restoring,
may we serve as you intend
And, amid the cares that claim us,
hold in mind eternity:
With the Spirit’s gifts empower us
for the work of ministry. ML

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