Considering the Heavens
A look at some of the most beautiful church ceilings in the world
In the modern West, churches are often thought of primarily as gathering spaces for congregational life. Without question, that is a primary purpose of the church building. But visionary Christians throughout history have also seen the church building as something that can draw the visitor’s thoughts to God himself. To look up, to ascend to the heavens is to move toward the beatific vision - to know God even as we are fully known. That was no doubt the intent of the people who designed the ceiling of Pisa’s cathedral, shown above.
The topic of church architecture and decoration has been a source of intense debate throughout Church history. The way we choose to form our places of worship has theological implications as well as aesthetic. You will hear numerous complaints these days that Protestant Christians in particular no longer have an appreciation for beauty.
I have no intention of solving those theological debates here, but I will show you some of the most beautiful church ceilings from various eras of Church history. Though very different from one another, each in its own way directs the mind to spiritual contemplation. Rather than detailing the history of each ceiling, I will pair each one with a Bible verse. Allow your eyes to wander over the images and take in the words. Think about how they make you feel and what truths they might reveal.
Lamb of God Mosaic, Basilica of San Vitale - Ravenna, Italy
“When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:8-9)
Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of St. Mark - Venice, Italy
“The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.” (Revelation 21:18)
Norwich Cathedral - Norwich, UK
“Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Psalm 36:5)
Nave, Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity - Ely, UK
“There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:7)
Lantern Tower, Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity - Ely, UK
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Lower Chapel, Saint-Chapelle - Paris, France
“Can you, with Him, spread out the skies, Strong as a molten mirror?” (Job 38:17)
St. John the Baptist’s Chapel, Church of St. Mary the Virgin - Ewelme, UK
“He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” (Genesis 28:12)
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran - Rome, Italy
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a seal, ‘Holy to the Lord.’” (Exodus 28:6)
Cathedral of Saints Rupert and Vergilius - Salzburg, Austria
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Minor Basilica of San Sebastian - Manila, Philippines
“Then God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them’; and it was so.” (Genesis 1:11)
Basílica de la Sagrada Familia - Barcelona, Spain
“For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
Wayfarers Chapel - Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA
“Then God said, ‘Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.” (Genesis 1:6-7)
Which church ceiling is your favorite? Let me know in the comments section below.
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Note: All Scripture passages are taken from the 1995 New American Standard Bible, copyright The Lockman Foundation.
Basílica de la Sagrada Familia — it's such a melding of old and new styles that results in something otherworldly! However, St John the Baptist's Chapel strikes me as the easiest one to keep cobwebs out of!
The lantern at Ely is magnificent. Thanks for the tour!