With Lent underway and Easter approaching, churches across the country are entering one of their busiest times, alongside the Christmas season. While the focus often rests on the sacred ceremonies inside these buildings, it is worth remembering their cultural and architectural importance as well.
Churches have long served as more than places of worship. Since the 6th century AD, when Emperor Justinian built the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, churches have also stood as cultural landmarks and tourist attractions. Visitors to famous sites like Notre Dame in Paris or St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome come not only to pray but also to admire breathtaking art and architecture.
This tradition continues in the United States, where many churches are among the oldest and most architecturally impressive structures. Here are ten remarkable American churches worth visiting, regardless of your faith or denomination.
1. San Xavier del Bac, Arizona
This mission near Tucson remains a vibrant place of worship and community for the Tohono O’odham people. Unlike many historic Spanish missions turned museums, San Xavier del Bac is still active and welcoming.
2. U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, Colorado
Designed by Walter Netsch, this futuristic chapel features 17 spires and striking stained glass set among 100 steel tetrahedrons. It serves multiple faiths, including Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim worship areas, plus an outdoor space for Earth-centered ceremonies. The chapel is under a $158 million renovation and is expected to reopen in 2027.
3. Salt Lake Temple, Utah
Dedicated in 1893 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this temple blends Gothic and Romanesque styles. Its three spires include a golden statue of the Angel Moroni. Visitors cannot enter the temple itself but can explore Temple Square and attend performances by the famous Tabernacle Choir.
4. Chapel of Thanksgiving, Dallas, Texas
This welcoming church celebrates all faiths and cultures. Inside, French artist Gabriel Loire’s “Glory Window” spirals upward, symbolizing the human spirit’s infinite reach. Outside, a triangular park offers peaceful green space and artwork, including a mosaic of Norman Rockwell’s “Golden Rule” and a Wall of Presidents honoring Thanksgiving proclamations.
5. Symmes Chapel, South Carolina
Known as the “Pretty Place Chapel,” this open-air church offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from every seat. Built in 1941, it was repaired after damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024. The chapel is open during daylight for prayer, meditation, weddings, or simply enjoying the scenery.
6. Washington National Cathedral, D.C.
The sixth-largest cathedral in the world and third tallest building in Washington, this Episcopal cathedral looks centuries old but was completed only in 1988. Built in Neo-Gothic style, it features gargoyles including a Darth Vader statue and a stained-glass “Space Window” containing a moon rock.
7. Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York
America’s largest church is still unfinished after construction began in 1892. Its style blends Neo-Gothic, Romanesque Revival, and Byzantine Revival. Despite lacking a central tower, the cathedral impresses with features like the Chapel of the Seven Tongues and Great Bronze Doors.
8. Old North Church, Boston, Massachusetts
Established in 1723, this historic church is famous for its role in the American Revolution. On April 18, 1775, lantern signals from its belfry warned patriots of British troop movements, sparking the battles of Lexington and Concord.
9. St. John’s Abbey Church, Minnesota
An example of Brutalist architecture, this abbey church in Collegeville was designed by Marcel Breuer. It features a unique “bell banner” — a tall concrete slab with openings for a wooden cross and five bells. Breuer also designed a similar Brutalist church in Muskegon, Michigan.
10. Chapel in the Hills, South Dakota
This Lutheran chapel is a wooden replica of Norway’s 12th-century Borgund Stave Church. Located near Rapid City, it features six tiered roofs and traditional wooden pegs instead of nails. Visitors can also explore a log cabin museum, a gift shop, and a peaceful Prayer Walk through the woods.
Conclusion
These churches showcase America’s rich religious heritage and architectural beauty. Whether you visit for worship or wonder, each offers a unique glimpse into faith, history, and art. This Easter, consider exploring one of these remarkable landmarks.
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