Backlog: Barcelona 3- A work in progress

The second half of my day walking around Barcelona was spent discovering the work of Gaudi. His expressionistic work left quite an impression. A large part of my year has been spent exploring churches throughout Germany and Europe. Last semester I was able to participate in a course in which we observed in detail the architecture and art of the churches here in Goettingen. I learned a great deal of the thought and work that went into building these places of worship, some taking 100's of years to complete. It has been nothing less than impressive to enter into the great Cathedrals of Milan, Strassbourg, and Cologne.

I must be honest though and say that while these buildings are grand and stand as a great testimony to my own faith tradition, I often find myself quite conflicted about the buildings themselves. In today's society, where far more tourist are found walking the transcepts than people sitting in the pews on any given Sunday morning, I find it hard to imagine the need of such a grand space. Having been raised with an understanding of separation of church and state, it's also hard to relate to the ties that the state and churches have historically had here in Europe. Large amounts of funding came from the state and these great cathedrals. While certainly standing tall as a witness to faith they also represented the political and economic success of the state. Perhaps it's just a great fundraising tactic, allowing the state to show off by paying for such colossal buildings. Of course it was this same tension of this flaunting of money and power in the churches that Luther was reacting to when he spoke out against having any images within the churches under the belief that it is impossible and even blasphemous to try and create an image of God. On the other hand, these spaces really are quite amazing and stand as a space of symbols and art which are a part of worship and draw us into worship. The pendulum has seemed to have swung from these ornate buildings of worship to the willingness to purchase abandoned shopping malls to house our services of worship. It doesn't get much less iconoclastic than that. Our theological understandings and expressions have certainly changed since the time of the great cathedrals, which isn't a bad thing, but I do find it important to question if we have lost anything within our reactions towards things such as iconism.

As I sit in this tension between the glory that these great Cathedrals share and also the practicality of size and money needed to continue funding the spaces, I have often wondered if there are places today where churches are being built with such intentional thought as to the theology of the building and space itself, or if that is a time gone past. Of course there are, and I've found a few treasures here in Europe. As I embarked on the second half of my walk through the streets of Barcelona I was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit La Sagrada Familia, the Church of the Holy Family,and ponder these questions and tensions of mine while witnessing the work in progress.

Being built in Gothic influences, with many adaptations and architectural interpretations, the church began to be built in 1882, and it's projected that it will take at least 50 more years until it will be fully completed; however, it is hopeful that the roof will be finished in 3 years time allowing for mass to take place. I had already fallen in love with Barcelona, but this was the icing on the cake of my trip. Not without controversy, Gaudi has created a space that is rich in christian symbolism, that stands in and of itself as an act of worship, witnessing to our faith and inspiring us to practice our faith.

We enter the west side being reminded of the Passion of Christ.

The doors are quite different than I have seen before, and am not quite sure what they say, but found them nevertheless interesting.

A work in progress.

Everything about the church seemed to be rich with symbolism- and completely unconventional, which made it even more provoking. Gaudi's architecture was more than just a practical space, but his buildings made a statement. He liked to represent nature and use his architecture to witness to the social issues of the day. In the church the pillers represent trees of life. Overhead behind me the roof is yet to be finished, allowing for the sun to fully illuminate the inside of the church.

The stained glass windows were abundant, bright, and colorful. Within the panes are words of exaltation.

Above the East entrance of the church the angels play music, celebrating the birth of Christ.

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More of the stained glass windows.

Might I add... the funding of the church, which has had its ups and downs, comes completely from private donations, these days being mostly from the 2 million tourist the church sees per year. Now I ask myself what draws so many tourists to make a visit and what impact will this have on the church once it's opened to the public for worship. Will we remain a look-at-would-rather-take-pictures society? Or is there something in this space that will move us to participate in worship?

If my own experience is shared by any other then there is something about this space that is indeed exciting to see, be a part of and witness to its progression of progress. I wonder if the feeling I left with was the same as the feeling that those left with when witnessing to the building of the Notre Dame or the Strassbourg Cathedral. Could they could relate to the gothic figurines in a way that I can't, but with the same inspiration as I find in the figures depicting the passion and nativity of Christ on the outerwalls of the La Sagrada Familia?