Lutheran Churches

Abstract

Abstract As different countries in Europe became Lutheran during and after the Reformation, numerous church buildings that once were Catholic became Lutheran churches. The physical structure of these churches for the most part reflected the Gothic architectural design, although most of the smaller churches did not have the splendor of the large Gothic cathedrals. But similar to the Gothic cathedrals, these churches commonly had a narthex, a nave, a center aisle (symbolizing the virtual shaft of the cross), a transept (symbolizing the horizontal arm of the cross), sanctuary (also known as chancel), altar, stained‐glass windows, and a steeple(s), usually capped with a cross(es). Most of these features, except for the large stained‐glass windows, were also part of the Romanesque church architecture that preceded the Gothic churches. Retaining the architecture of formerly Catholic churches was not problematic to Lutherans, for similar to Luther, they never questioned or rejected the use of Christian symbols, such as the cross, crucifixes, or altars.