Medieval Influences On Our Churches

 I'm not sure how many people realize that our churches and architecture, even in America, are influenced by medieval traditions.  My congregation has a somewhat typical building reflective of the neo-Gothic revival style, or more accurately a "Collegiate Gothic" style.  Although Gothic Revival in architecture waned in popularity long before this (a revival of architectural styles in the 1800s which revived styles prevalent from 1300 to 1500), its style lingered on in churches into the mid-20th century.  My church was built in the early 1950s. The fist picture is the altar area prior to renovations we made by removing the red velvet reredo and wooden valance above it, along with the illuminated wall cross. The next picture shows the renovations. I did not realize until recently that an altar up against the wall was a development in the medieval church in the 1200s.  I know that this was changed after Vatican II (in the early to mid 1960s) when freestanding altars became more of the norm.  I also learned that the the architectural distinction between nave (where the people sit) and the chancel (where the altar is located) became more pronounced in the Middle Ages by narrowing the view of the chancel with a wall pierced by an archway, which you can see in the pictures here. Although this arch is larger than its earlier medieval equivalent.  Later a rood screen would be erected that blocked much of the view of the altar. This structure separated the nave and chancel in a much more pronounced way. The third picture is from the chapel on the campus of Nashotah House Seminary where I did my graduate studies.  It is facing away from the altar and choir area toward the rood screen. Although more open than many rood screens of the Middle Ages, the statuary betrays a medieval influence with the crucifix in the center. I cannot remember the other figures, but if they followed the medieval pattern they would be flanked by the Virgin Mary and John who were present at the crucifixion. As a side note, the word chancel comes from the word cancellus which means a 'screened off area'. This word was in use by the 12th century.

As I led worship this morning I also demonstrated yet another inheritance from my medieval past in the vestments I wore.  My inner garment was a cassock and outer garment was a surplice, a word that reflects its ancient use as an 'over a fur garment', probably necessitated by early, unheated buildings. The first documents to mention the surplice date from the 11th century.  I wear an 'Old English Surplice' (a longer and fuller version of the surplice used by some), which besides reflecting my tendency of being a bit of an anglophile, has a wonderful drape that, at least to me, is aesthetically pleasing as a liturgical garment.  

Aside from the building and my vestments, the last area that demonstrates medieval influence would be the liturgy itself.  As any student of the liturgy knows, our worship forms have evolved over time. The Early Church had a much simpler structure patterned after the Jewish seder.  It divided into Word and Sacrament. But in time, other parts appeared: The Kyrie (5th c), Gloria in Excelsis (6th c), Creed (11th c), Agnus Dei (7th c).  

Sometimes people view the Middle Ages as a dark period of human history, full of superstition and empty ritual.  But that is not a fair account of a time of rich developments not only in architecture, but in the ritual and ceremony of the church that recognized, maybe more than some of us do today, that we stand on the threshold of heaven as we gather to hear the Word and receive the holy gifts of Christ's body and blood in the blessed Sacrament. 

Addendum:  Looking back at my own rural church and with additional reading, I draw attention to yet another medieval influence: the tower.  From Nicholas Orme's book Going to Church in Medieval England (Yale University Press, 2021), which has been one of my primary readings in this little personal study: "Towers called attention to churches in the landscape and gave them presence in the streets of a town.  Further emphasis could be given by topping the tower with battlements and often with a spire...Towers could act as strongholds and places of refuge...most of all towers were places for bells" (p. 107).  My little country church exhibits all of this in its own way, another tip-of-the-hat to 'medieval influences on our churches'!