St Paul's Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral on Ludgate Hill, in the City of London, and the seat of the Bishop of London. The present building dates from the 17th century and is generally reckoned to be London's fifth St Paul's Cathedral, although the number is higher if every major medieval reconstruction is counted as a new cathedral. The cathedral sits on the highest point of the City of London, which originated as a Roman trading post situated on the River Thames. The cathedral is one of London's most visited sights.

St. Paul's London

St Paul's Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral on Ludgate Hill, in the City of London, and the seat of…

"The main essentials in all the Roccoco Styles are a certain independence in the ornamentation of the main architectural organism, the prominence of this ornamentation itself, and finally its shape and design. A luxurious elegance is displayed in the treatment of interiors, which was most happily employed in the embellishment of the state apartments. [This image] gives an example of the absence of connection among the various ornaments employed in the system of decoration, such as was especially peculiar to the churches of the Jesuits."

Jesuit Church, Rome

"The main essentials in all the Roccoco Styles are a certain independence in the ornamentation of the…

The St-Paul-St-Louis Church is located in Paris on Rue Saint Antoine in the Marais. The church was begun in 1627 and completed in 1641 and is an examaple of Jesuit architecture. It was designed based on the Gesú church in Rome. The letters IHS, as shown on the front of the church, is an abbreviation, the first three letters, of Jesus' name in Greek, ΙΗΣΟΥΣ, translated into English characters."In this style curved lines of the most varied description supersede all straight lines both in ground plans and in designs, whilst the most ordinary and characteristic embellishments are volutes, shellfish, and scrolls; groups of fruit and garlands of flowers, hangings, curtains, etc. [shown here]." "During the time that the license of the Roccoco Style prevailed, the elements of the ancient columnar orders were often misapplied, engaged columns and pilasters were frequently so connected with other side-pilasters which were recessed behind them to the number of one, two, or even three, that the cornices and, in fact, all horizontal mouldings were separately profiled over each column or pilaster [shown here]."

Façade of the Church of St. Paul and St. Louis at Paris

The St-Paul-St-Louis Church is located in Paris on Rue Saint Antoine in the Marais. The church was begun…

Borgund stave church is a stave church located in Borgund, Lærdal, Norway. It is classified as a triple nave stave church of the so-called Sogn-type. It was probably built in the end of the 12th century, and has not changed structure or had a major reconstruction since that date.The church site shows evidence of a previous building, which can point to an earlier church or perhaps an old pagan temple that had been taken into use as a church. The interior of the church, except for the pulpit and the altarpiece, is mainly free from the post-Reformation decorations seen in most other stave churches. An authentic medieval square-shaped baptismal font made of soapstone is still a part of the interior.Borgund stave church is owned by Fortidsminneforeningen (The Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments)."The wood buildings of Norway lay claim to a certain monumental and historical importance, partly because they belong to the oldest class of buildings of this description, and partly owing to the purpose for which they were erected, namely, to serve as churches. The case is different as regards the merit of their artistic construction and beauty of shape, in both of which points the standard attained is not a high one, as shown by [this image]. The details principally show traces of the architectural styles prevalent at the time of their erection, viz., the Romanesque and Byzantine, while the main forms must be considered as the result of a severe climate. The perishable nature of the material employed was also naturally prejudicial to any advanced and regular development of architectural skills. From these causes the whole design assumed a pyramidal shape, whilst the climate necessitated mode of construction which is peculiar to the buildings in question. As a projection against its rigours the structures were surrounded by covered passages ornamented externally with those little arcades which are a distinguishing feature of the Romanesque style, whilst the roofs were necessarily very steep in shape on account of the heavy falls of snow, and were covered with wood shingles, tiles, or slates. The form of construction is rather rough, for the corners are generally formed of rude logs, whilst the walls between merely consist of upright boards jointed to one another. Churches of this description are know in Norway by the name of Fascine Churches. Although the construction is thus artless, yet an effort to enrich the whole by individual details and by employment of painted embellishments is frequently to be noticed. This especially effected by means of arabesque-like carvings on the doorways and gables."

Wood Church at Burgund

Borgund stave church is a stave church located in Borgund, Lærdal, Norway. It is classified as…

This is an illustration by artist Charles Robinson. It is found in novelist Robert Louis Stevenson's book "A Child's Garden of Verse". The drawing depicts a girl alone in what seems to be a church.

Gothic Church Interior

This is an illustration by artist Charles Robinson. It is found in novelist Robert Louis Stevenson's…

The Cathedral of Spires was built between 916 and 1097. It is the largest church in Germany. Designed in a Romanesque style, it has two towers in the front with spires on top, similar to a pointed spear.

The Cathedral at Spires

The Cathedral of Spires was built between 916 and 1097. It is the largest church in Germany. Designed…

The Cathedral of Mans is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in Le Mans, France. The Cathedral was built in dedication to the city's first bishop Saint Julian of Le Mans. It is built in a Romanesque and Gothic style.

Cathedral of Mans

The Cathedral of Mans is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in Le Mans, France. The Cathedral was built…

The cathedral of Chartres is a roman catholic cathedral in Chartres, France. Built in a Gothic style, the Cathedral has two different spires.

Cathedral of Chartres

The cathedral of Chartres is a roman catholic cathedral in Chartres, France. Built in a Gothic style,…

The Cathedral of Rheims is also known as Notre-Dame de Rheims in French. It is a Roman Catholic Cathedral, located in Rheim, France. It was the site of where the Kings of France were once crowned. The Cathedral was completed during the end of the 13th century.

Cathedral of Rheims

The Cathedral of Rheims is also known as Notre-Dame de Rheims in French. It is a Roman Catholic Cathedral,…

The cathedral of Strasbourg is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Strasbourg, France. The church was erected by the bishop St. Argobast of the Strasbourg Diocese during the end of the 7th century. It is designed in a Gothic style with some parts in a Romanesque style. Today the church is the 6th tallest church in the world.

Cathedral of Strasbourg

The cathedral of Strasbourg is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Strasbourg, France. The church…

The Metz Cathedral is also known as the St. Etienne de Metz in French. It is a Roman Catholic church located in Moselle, France. The interior nave shown in this picture, is the center aisle that leads to the altar, it is the third highest in France.

Metz Cathedral

The Metz Cathedral is also known as the St. Etienne de Metz in French. It is a Roman Catholic church…

The Cathedral of Siena is a Roman Catholic Marian church located in Siena, central Italy. A medieval church, it was completed in 1263. The interior of the church is designed with black and white marble stripes on the columns and the walls. These black and white stripes represent the coat of arms of Siena. The entire floor of the church is covered with an inlaid marble mosaic.

Cathedral of Sienna

The Cathedral of Siena is a Roman Catholic Marian church located in Siena, central Italy. A medieval…

The St. Peter's Basilica is located within the Vatican city in Rome, Italy. This drawing shows the architecture of the front of the church. It was built in 1626 in a Renaissance and Baroque style. The church was named after one of Jesus's twelve disciples, Simon known as Peter.

St. Peter's Basilica

The St. Peter's Basilica is located within the Vatican city in Rome, Italy. This drawing shows the architecture…

This is a drawing of the interior of the St. Peter's Basilica located in the Vatican city of Rome, Italy. The interior space of the church was designed by Giovanni Paolo Panini an Italian painter and architect. The interior space is the largest interior of any Christian church in the world.

Interior of St. Peter's Basilica

This is a drawing of the interior of the St. Peter's Basilica located in the Vatican city of Rome, Italy.…

The Westminster Abbey is a Gothic church located in Westminster, London. The church has a pointed style of architecture which signifies the Gothic style.

Westminster Abbey

The Westminster Abbey is a Gothic church located in Westminster, London. The church has a pointed style…

A plan of the church of Kalat–Seman in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. The church is also known as St. Simon Stylites, Samaan, or San Simeon, consecrated in AD 476, and is considered to be one of the oldest remaining churches in the world.

Plan of Church of Kalat-Seman

A plan of the church of Kalat–Seman in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. The church is also…

"In this city many individual tendencies are perceptible, but the predominant inclination is toward the Italian Renaissance . The new Opera-House, built by Van der Nüll and Siccardsburg, forms an exception to this rule, the design and forms of which were copied from the Early French Renaissance, with its narrow moulding and flat elliptical arches. On the other hand, the models of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries are chosen for churches built in the Gothic style. In its richest phase this is seen in the memorial church, built by Ferstel; and in its poorest aspect, and divested of all the ornamental details necessary to produce a good effect, in the Lazaristen Kirche, built by Schmidt, one of the most important representatives of the Gothic style, and at the same time an advocate in word and deed for its reintroduction."The Votivkirche in Vienna, Austria, is one of the most important neo-Gothic religious architectural sites in the world.

Vienna, Memorial Church

"In this city many individual tendencies are perceptible, but the predominant inclination is toward…

"In this city many individual tendencies are perceptible, but the predominant inclination is toward the Italian Renaissance . The new Opera-House, built by Van der Nüll and Siccardsburg, forms an exception to this rule, the design and forms of which were copied from the Early French Renaissance, with its narrow moulding and flat elliptical arches. On the other hand, the models of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries are chosen for churches built in the Gothic style. In its richest phase this is seen in the memorial church, built by Ferstel; and in its poorest aspect, and divested of all the ornamental details necessary to produce a good effect, in the Lazaristen Kirche, built by Schmidt, one of the most important representatives of the Gothic style, and at the same time an advocate in word and deed for its reintroduction."The Lazaristenkirche is a Roman Catholic church building in the 7th district of Vienna, Neubau.

Lazarist Church at Vienna

"In this city many individual tendencies are perceptible, but the predominant inclination is toward…

"The buildings which have been constructed in these various styles differ essentially from those which have been carried out in the same styles in other countries. In churches and other buildings erected in the Gothic style this difference mainly consists in deficiency of strongly marked architectural keeping, for both main and subordinate features are generally irregular. In most cases the whole group is highly unsymmetrical, and the tower is at one corner, by which a picturesque effect is aimed at [shown here]. The material and the mode of construction are generally left visible, and it is endeavoured to utilize them as ornament; and this not only externally but also in the interior, where the beams and rafters of the roof are often left quite bare; they are even thus exposed where their appearance is not in keeping with the destination of the buildings."

Memorial Church in Scotland

"The buildings which have been constructed in these various styles differ essentially from those which…

Robert Fulton, an American engineer and inventor, was the first to establish steam navigation. In 1800 he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, the first practical submarine in history. In 1806, Fulton married Chancellor Livingston's niece Harriet (who was the daughter of Walter Livingston), and they later had four children: Robert, Julia, Mary and Cornelia.In 1807, Fulton and Livingston together built the first commercial steamboat, the North River Steamboat (later known as the Clermont), which carried passengers between New York City and Albany, New York. The Clermont was able to make the 300 mile trip in 62 hours. From 1811 until his death in 1815, Fulton was a member of the Erie Canal Commission. He is buried in the Trinity Church Cemetery in New York City, alongside other famous Americans such as Alexander Hamilton.

Robert Fulton

Robert Fulton, an American engineer and inventor, was the first to establish steam navigation. In 1800…

An illustration of the Great Coxwell Tithe Barn built during the fourteenth century. The barn was used to store a tenth of the farm's produce given to the church.

Great Coxwell Tithe Barn

An illustration of the Great Coxwell Tithe Barn built during the fourteenth century. The barn was used…

A church monument of a woman in Wantage during the fourteenth century. She is wearing a dress, cape, and a hair dress common during the period.

Wantage Church Monument

A church monument of a woman in Wantage during the fourteenth century. She is wearing a dress, cape,…

A corner buttress from Chancel of Claybrooke Church, Leicestershire. The buttress would have a statues inside the buttress for decoration.

Chancel of Claybrooke Church Corner Buttress

A corner buttress from Chancel of Claybrooke Church, Leicestershire. The buttress would have a statues…

A series of grotesque faces from Gothic churches during fourteenth century. The grotesque faces were used to decorate the stone work on churches.

Gothic Architecture Ornament Statue Faces

A series of grotesque faces from Gothic churches during fourteenth century. The grotesque faces were…

A series of grotesque from Claybrooke Church for architectural ornamentation. The grotesque statue on the left is a Lincoln Imp, located on the last column of the Angel Choir.

Gothic Architecture Ornament Statue Imp Faces

A series of grotesque from Claybrooke Church for architectural ornamentation. The grotesque statue on…

The window tracery from St. Margaret's Chapel, Herts from fourteenth century. The tracery is fitted with stained windows containing images from the bible or church history.

Gothic Architecture St. Margaret's Chapel Tracery

The window tracery from St. Margaret's Chapel, Herts from fourteenth century. The tracery is fitted…

An outside view of the spherical triangle from a church. The window has three rounded parts in a shape of a triangle.

Gothic Architecture Spherical Triangle Outside Window

An outside view of the spherical triangle from a church. The window has three rounded parts in a shape…

A fourteenth century spherical triangle viewed inside a church. The window is indented with a bottom part sloped to let sun light in.

Gothic Architecture Spherical Triangle Inside Window

A fourteenth century spherical triangle viewed inside a church. The window is indented with a bottom…

A decorated Greek mitre from the Orthodox Eastern Church. The hat is worn by the bishops. Greek mitre is a closed crown with a circlet and arches, decorated with gold, jewels, and pictures and embroideries.

Decorated Greek Mitre

A decorated Greek mitre from the Orthodox Eastern Church. The hat is worn by the bishops. Greek mitre…

"In the Armenian Church priests and archdeacons, as well as the bishops, wear a mitre. That of the bishops is of the the Latin form, a custom dating from a grant of Pope Innocent II; that of the priests, the sagvahart is not unlike the Greek mitre." —Encyclopaedia Britannica

Mitre of Armenian Priest

"In the Armenian Church priests and archdeacons, as well as the bishops, wear a mitre. That of the bishops…

A drawing of Pope Pius IX. He was the pope from June 16, 1846 until February 7, 1878. Pope Pius IX is known as the longest reigning pope in church history.

Pope Pius IX Sitting

A drawing of Pope Pius IX. He was the pope from June 16, 1846 until February 7, 1878. Pope Pius IX is…

An illustration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. This building is also known as Notre Dame de Paris which is French for Our Lady of Paris. It is the church which contains the official chair of the Archbishop of Paris.

Notre Dame Cathedral

An illustration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. This building is also known as Notre Dame…

An illustration of the Church of the Hotel des Invalides located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. This complex of buildings contains museums and monuments all relating to the military history of France.

Church of the Hotel des Invalides

An illustration of the Church of the Hotel des Invalides located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris,…

An illustration of the sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte located in the Church of the Hotel des Invalides.

Sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte

An illustration of the sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte located in the Church of the Hotel des Invalides.

An illustration of the tomb of the sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte located in the Church of the Hotel des Invalides.

Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte

An illustration of the tomb of the sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte located in the Church of the Hotel…

Boys singing in a choir at an outdoor chapel service. There is a wooden cross and a makeshift pulpit. A man stands to the right of the boys and appears to be a preacher.

Boys Singing in a Choir Outside

Boys singing in a choir at an outdoor chapel service. There is a wooden cross and a makeshift pulpit.…

Roger Williams was the founder of the Providence Plantation in Rhode Island, as well as the first Baptist church in America. He crossed the Pawtucket River in order to obtain more land from the Native Americans.

Roger Williams Crossing the Pawtucket River

Roger Williams was the founder of the Providence Plantation in Rhode Island, as well as the first Baptist…

"Jamestown is now an island, for the sandy beach which once connected it with the mainland has disappeared. Only the ruins of the brick church erected in 1639 and some of the tombs in the churchyard remain."—Webster, 1920

Ruins at the Brick Church at Jamestown

"Jamestown is now an island, for the sandy beach which once connected it with the mainland has disappeared.…

A Church of England cleric who is credited as the founder of the Methodist movement.

John Wesley

A Church of England cleric who is credited as the founder of the Methodist movement.

"Begun by Napoleon in 1806; not completed until 1842. The emperor planned it as a 'of fame' to commemorate his victories, but it now serves as a church. The structure has the lines of a Roman temple, with a colonnade of Corinthian pillars."—Webster, 1920

La Madeleine

"Begun by Napoleon in 1806; not completed until 1842. The emperor planned it as a 'of fame' to commemorate…

The second longest-reigning elected Pope in Church history, serving from 1846 until his death in 1878. He defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Pope Pius IX

The second longest-reigning elected Pope in Church history, serving from 1846 until his death in 1878.…

The oldest pope and had the third longest pontificate.

Leo XIII

The oldest pope and had the third longest pontificate.

The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Petrograd. It was built on the spot where Alexander II was assassinated.

Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Petrograd

The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Petrograd. It was built on the spot where Alexander II was…

"The present structure, begun in 1163 and completed about 1240, suffered severely during the French Revolution, when it was converted into a Temple of Reason. Extensive renovations and alterations were made during the nineteenth century. Two massive square towers, originally intended to support spires, crown the principle or western façade. Its three doors are surrounded by elaborate sculptures and surmounted by a row of figures representing twenty-eight kings of Israel and Judah. Above the central door is a rose window of stained glass and above this is a graceful gallery of painted arches supported on slender columns."

Notre Dame

"The present structure, begun in 1163 and completed about 1240, suffered severely during the French…

An Anglican cathedral on Ludgate Hill in London, England.

St. Paul's Cathedral

An Anglican cathedral on Ludgate Hill in London, England.

A large church in Westminster, London, England, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. Traditionally, English and British monarchs are coronated and buried here.

Westminster Abbey

A large church in Westminster, London, England, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster.…

"This church occupies the site of a chapel built in the Roman period and standing at the time of the landing of the monk Augustine, in the year 597. Its walls show some of the Roman bricks of the original church."—Myers, 1905

St. Martin's Church, Canterbury

"This church occupies the site of a chapel built in the Roman period and standing at the time of the…

"This church was erected, a few years after Simeon's death, around the pillar (the base of which is to be seen in the cut) upon which the saint had passed so many years. It became one of the most popular of the medieval pilgrim shrines."—Myers, 1905

Ruins of the Church of St. Simeon Stylites

"This church was erected, a few years after Simeon's death, around the pillar (the base of which is…

"This edifice was begun in the eleventh century, but was not finished until our own day (1880). It is one of the most imposing monuments of Gothic architecture in the world."—Myers, 1905

The Cologne Cathedral

"This edifice was begun in the eleventh century, but was not finished until our own day (1880). It is…

"As the ruins of Fountains Abbey are a memorial of the iconoclasm of the Reformation movement in England, so are the remains of Melrose Abbey a like monument of the iconoclastic phase of the Reformation in Scotland With the change in doctrines there, the monks of the historic abbey - it was founded in the thirteenth century - were driven out and the beautiful sculptures of the abbey church defaced."—Myers, 1905

Melrose Abbey

"As the ruins of Fountains Abbey are a memorial of the iconoclasm of the Reformation movement in England,…

The historic colonial church in Charleston, South Carolina.

St. Michael's Church

The historic colonial church in Charleston, South Carolina.

The famous church in Boston, Massachusetts where the line "one if by land, and two if by sea" signal was said to have been sent.

Old North Church

The famous church in Boston, Massachusetts where the line "one if by land, and two if by sea" signal…

"Example of shield, from the Abbey Church of St. Alban."—Aveling, 1891

Heraldic Shield

"Example of shield, from the Abbey Church of St. Alban."—Aveling, 1891

"Jupon from the Effigy of Sir Edmund de Thorpe, Ashwel-Thorpe Church, Norfolk."—Aveling, 1891

Jupon of Sir Edmund de Thorpe

"Jupon from the Effigy of Sir Edmund de Thorpe, Ashwel-Thorpe Church, Norfolk."—Aveling, 1891

"In the church of St. Mary, at Bury St. Edmunds, the ceiling of the eastern compartment of the south aisle, once the chantry of John Baret, is richly painted and diapered with beautifully drawn collars of SS, each collar enclosing the monogram of this zealous Lancastrian, I.B."—Aveling, 1891

Monogram of John Baret

"In the church of St. Mary, at Bury St. Edmunds, the ceiling of the eastern compartment of the south…

A crested helm from Cobham Church, kent.

Crested Helm

A crested helm from Cobham Church, kent.

The Madonna of the church of Santa Maria Novella, painted by Cimabue.

Madonna of the Church

The Madonna of the church of Santa Maria Novella, painted by Cimabue.

Church's three-wheeled coach, invented in 1833. This diagram was drawn from and old wood cut. It shows the forward spring wheel that is mounted on the steering pivot.

Three-Wheeled Coach

Church's three-wheeled coach, invented in 1833. This diagram was drawn from and old wood cut. It shows…

In Gothic architecture, a lantern tower is frequently placed over the center of cross churches, and the light admitted by windows in the sides. This illustration shows the lantern tower at St. Ouen in Rouen, France

Lantern Tower at St. Ouen; Rouen, France

In Gothic architecture, a lantern tower is frequently placed over the center of cross churches, and…

In Gothic architecture, a lantern tower is frequently placed over the center of cross churches, and the light admitted by windows in the sides. This illustration shows the lantern tower at St. Botolph's Church in Boston, Lincolnshire, England.

Lantern Tower at St. Botolph's; Boston, Lincolnshire

In Gothic architecture, a lantern tower is frequently placed over the center of cross churches, and…