The Reason for Church Steeples
One of the most recognizable elements of most churches, old and new, is the steeple. This structure, which rises above the main building, serves several practical purposes that can be traced back to the earliest Christian churches, and also a few symbolic ones that continue to inspire the faithful and secular alike.
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History
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Steeples originated in the middle ages, evolving from earlier Byzantine and Greek cupolas that similarly stood above and beyond the main buildings. The cupolas were rounded, though, and did not rise very high above the central structure. The steeple therefore represents an innovation on the part of Medieval European architects, who increasingly moved away from rounded shafts and relatively flat tops to square shafts and very pointy tops. Many of the first steeples were completely separate structures from the main church, eventually becoming integrated into larger buildings such as cathedrals.
The look of the steeple we know today became prominent in the 12th century, in what is referred to as the "Gothic" style. A classic example of this sort of building is the iconic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France.
Steeples as Landmarks
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The steeple's main purpose during the middle ages was to make the church visible from any part of a town. At that time, everything from civil institutions to education revolved around the church. It was essentially the heart of any European town. The steeple was thus built to be the tallest structure in town, clearly there for all to see and be reminded of the Church's importance in their lives.
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Communication Device
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Steeples also housed bells that were used for a variety of functions, both secular and religious. Bells let clergy members know when to perform certain ceremonies, when to fast and when to pray. Townspeople were informed of services as well as potential dangers, such as an approaching army or a fire. The height of the steeple essentially allowed the bells within it to transmit sound loudly and clearly to all parts of the town, ensuring effective communication.
Illumination
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The steeple often acted as a lantern to light the town and the center of the church. This was the case in the 13th- and 14th-century churches built by the English in England and Normandy.
Symbolism
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The main symbolic purpose of the steeple is, of course, related to the nature of a church itself as a symbol of the divine and place of worship for the faithful. The steeple is meant to act like a hand, reaching into the sky to touch the heavens themselves. As with many other religious structures, such as ancient ziggurats and pyramids, the steeple is built high to remind followers of how the religious order goes beyond the everyday reality of the earth, and shares something with the transcendent.
For some Christian sects, the connection to these "pagan" religions in the form of steeple architecture is a source of worry that the purity of the faith has been contaminated. Further, secular psychological perspectives, such as those advanced by Sigmund Freud, argue that steeples represent nothing more than phallic symbols of masculine power and domination.
While such influences may be there, it is perhaps more likely that the steeple has more innocuous purposes such as those described here.
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