I love old
churches. The history, the architecture, the art and the people behind the
church itself and the society there and then.
In Sweden and Skåne county we have many medieval churches. Many have unfortunately been demolished or rebuilt to accommodate a growing congregation. This happened especially in the 19th century. Unfortunately, the Reformation also meant a lot of changes.
Much of the medieval art has been destroyed. Paintings were burned or painted over. Many wooden sculptures have been burned or used for other purposes.
Still, there are many interesting churches in our vicinity. Lund Cathedral, Dalby Church, which is the oldest building in Sweden, built in 1060. and many, many others.
Relatively recently, we visited the Nordics' oldest brick church in Gumlösa. built in 1192. A purely architectural masterpiece.
Churches are very special buildings and they often do not leave people unaffected. In Genesis 28:16 we read about Jacob placing a stone at the holy place. He says
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it.
Paul describes the Christian church as a building of living stones and Christ is the very cornerstone of the building. On that foundation the whole congregation is built up to a living temple.
Beautiful old Churches and fixtures in all their glory, but the most beautiful ornament, however, is a congregation having a service.
The church is a home, a living house, with a living God in both joy and sorrow.
In Sweden and Skåne county we have many medieval churches. Many have unfortunately been demolished or rebuilt to accommodate a growing congregation. This happened especially in the 19th century. Unfortunately, the Reformation also meant a lot of changes.
Much of the medieval art has been destroyed. Paintings were burned or painted over. Many wooden sculptures have been burned or used for other purposes.
Still, there are many interesting churches in our vicinity. Lund Cathedral, Dalby Church, which is the oldest building in Sweden, built in 1060. and many, many others.
Relatively recently, we visited the Nordics' oldest brick church in Gumlösa. built in 1192. A purely architectural masterpiece.
Churches are very special buildings and they often do not leave people unaffected. In Genesis 28:16 we read about Jacob placing a stone at the holy place. He says
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it.
Paul describes the Christian church as a building of living stones and Christ is the very cornerstone of the building. On that foundation the whole congregation is built up to a living temple.
Beautiful old Churches and fixtures in all their glory, but the most beautiful ornament, however, is a congregation having a service.
The church is a home, a living house, with a living God in both joy and sorrow.
Amen
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