What is the real meaning of the steeple?
: a tall structure usually having a small spire at the top and surmounting a church tower broadly : a whole church tower.
What is the symbolism of a church steeple?
The use of spires, steeples and towers on Christian church buildings became a common element around the eighth century. Steeples symbolically pointed to heaven. Early towers in churches were also symbolic that the prayers of church members would ascend to heaven.
What is the history of church steeples?
The tradition of church steeples dates back to the eighteenth century in Europe. As people immigrated to America they brought with them church architects who began designing churches as grand cathedrals which always had high steeples. … The steeples had other functions.
Are church steeples Pagan?
“The steeple probably has its origins in the phallic obelisks or pillars of pagan practice. Particularly in the British Isles,” she continues, “phallic imagery—as well as imagery of women represented by large vaginas—is commonplace, both in pagan sites and in churches.
Where did the word steeple come from?
Steeples have been around since the Middle Ages. The word itself comes from Middle English for “high tower.” A steeple on top of a church or temple makes it stand out in a crowd, and it also points right up to heaven.
What is the difference between a spire and a steeple?
As nouns the difference between spire and steeple
is that spire is or spire can be one of the sinuous foldings of a serpent or other reptile; a coil while steeple is a tall tower, often on a church, normally topped with a spire.
Why do some churches have Spires?
A tower or spire indicates the location of a church and many of them appear to have been built in the later middle-ages to the glory of God as a result of fundraising by the community or individual donations. … In many cases Saxon or Norman towers were also built as accommodation and refuge in times of unrest.
Why do churches have red doors?
There are many reasons why church doors are painted red. For many churches, the color red symbolizes the “blood of Christ”, which is the “entry” into salvation for those who enter. … Beginning in the Middle Ages, red represented a color that denoted a place of sanctuary which offered physical safety from outside evils.
What are church Spires?
A pointed cone shape on top of a building is called a spire, especially when it rises from the roof of a church. The part of a church roof that rises above a city skyline or a village’s rolling hills, pointing sharply up toward the sky, is its spire. Many church spires have a cross at the very top.