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MODULE-3
EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

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 MODULE-3
8. Early Christian: Evolution of architecture parallel to the evolution of religious practices. Study
of principles of design of buildings through study of three kinds of Architecture: a) Monumental
b) Domestic (Built to inhabit) and c) Civic space.

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 INFLUENCES
GEOGRAPHY
• Christianity had its birth in Judaea, an
eastern province of the Roman Empire,
spread and carried by St. Peter, St. Paul, and
other missionaries to Rome.
• Early Christian architecture at Rome was
influenced by existing Roman architecture
• Modified in other parts of the Empire
according to the type already recognized as
suitable for the geographical situation of
those countries, such as Syria, Asia, North
Africa, and Egypt.
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CLIMATE
• North Italy has the climate of the temperate region of Europe.
• Central Italy is genial and sunny.
• Southern Italy is almost tropical.
• This variety of climatic conditions is sufficient to account for
diversity of architectural features and treatment.
GEOLOGY
• The ruins of Roman buildings often provided the quarry where
materials were obtained.
• This influenced the style, both as regards construction and
decoration.
• Columns and other architectural features, as well as fine sculptures
and mosaics from older buildings, were incorporated into basilican
churches of the new faith.
RELIGION
Purpose of the Christian church was to shelter worshippers who met for
prayer and praise to an unseen Deity, and, during the unsettled
conditions at the beginning of Christianity, various places were adapted
for this worship.
SOCIAL
Cities has declined and deserted. Trade sea vorne and land borne came
to an end. Consantine in 300AD passed orders for churches to be built.
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ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

• The character of Early Christian architecture

is chiefly to be seen in buildings of the
fourth to the ninth century, though the style
persisted in Rome up to the Renaissance.
• The early Christians, as roman craftsmen,
continued old Roman traditions.
• Basilicas or roman halls of justice probably
served the early Christians as models for
their churches.
• A basilican church was usually erected over
the burial place of the saint to whom the
church was dedicated.
• The approach to the church was through
an atrium or open forecourt surrounded
by arcades.
• Next came the covered narthex,
between the atrium and the church.
• The narthex opened into nave.
• Galleries for women were sometimes
placed over aisles.

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 • The altar, in front of the apse, which in the basilica
had been used for libations or sacrifices to the
gods, was placed immediately over burial place of
the saint.
• The churches with three or five aisles, covered by a
simple timber roof, is typical of the Early Christian
style.
• The architectural character is rendered impressive and
dignified by the long perspective of columns which carry
the eye along to the sanctuary, a treatment which,
combined with the comparatively low height of
interiors, makes these churches appear longer
than they really are.
• Timber roofs covered the central nave, and only simple
forms of constructions such as king and queen post
trusses, were employed.
• Walls were still constructed according to Roman method
faced with brick or stone and sometimes plaster.
• The early Christian basilicas were usually decorated
with mosaic.
• The atrium led through the narthex to the great nave
with double aisles.
• Beyond was the bema and sanctuary or semicircular apse
with the pope’s seat against the centre of the wall.

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 ST. PETER, ROME
• Basilican church of st. peter, rome was built by Constantine
in 300AD.
• The church was entered through an atrium called paradise
that enclosed a garden with fountains. From the atrium
there were five doors into the body of the church.
• At St. Peter's, as in many Roman basilicas, wooden beams
supported a gable roof, and clerestory windows allowed
light to illuminate the nave.
• The interior division of space, with a nave flanked by side
aisles.
• Transepts create a cross shape (cruciform).
• These architectural spaces, extensions to the north and
south, meet the nave at the crossing.
• The group of spiral columns decorate the altar area.
• St. Peter's had a rather plain brick exterior
• the interior was adorned with precious materials, including
marble Roman columns, mosaics, and frescoes.
• The decorated interior contrasted with the exterior, subtly
reminding the visitor that the beauty of the inner spirit was
more important than external, physical adornment.
• From the entrance, one's attention was focused on the high
altar, set below an enormous arch on which a mosaic
depicted Christ, Saint Peter, and the emperor Constantine.

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 ALTERNATE CHURCH FORMS

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 HOUSE CHURCHES

• House churches The Dura-Europos church (also

known as the Dura-Europos house church) is the
earliest identified Christian house church. It is located
in Dura-Europos in Syria.
• It is one of the earliest known Christian churches, and
was apparently a normal domestic house converted
for worship some time between 233 and 256 AD. It is
both less famous and smaller and less extensively
decorated with wall-paintings.
• Baptistry is a designated space within a church, or a
separate room or building associated with a church,
where sacrament of Christian baptism is performed.
• An assembly hall is a kind of function hall, a
large room used to hold public meetings or places of
worship.
• Teaching area includes religious education.
• Church courtyard is a covered walk, open gallery, or
open arcade running along the walls of buildings and
forming a quadrangle.

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