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This is a reconstruction of what a Roman basilica might have looked like. Notice the flat coffered ceiling. Notice the open air "windows". Note how the central space is very open between the two central rows of columns that line the hall. That povides lots of space for gathering and movement. To either side of these colums are other arcades, walking areas.

Here are examples of the floor plans of some early Christian churches. Obviously, they vary. Old St. Peter's is in the basilican form with an added apse and courtyard entrance. But notice that two are circular with a central plan, and another is cruciform. Just because the most famous churches of the early centuries were bascilican in form, don't get the impression that this was the only form spaces for worship took. Obviously, it was not!

Here are examples of variations on the basilican style of archtecture, some with and others without apse.

These two layouts provide a look at other developments. You can see the curved apse in each. But now the apse area is raised in the 5th C African basilica, and a canopy called a “cupola” is placed over the altar, and walls have been built to distinguish the altar area from the assembly area. In the second example from the 6th C Greek basilica, we see the “bema,” the tall structure in the center from which scripture would be proclaimed or cantillated (a kind of chanted speech) and you can note that an open wall-like structure is now starting to separate the assembly space from the “sanctuary” space. This eventually develops into an icon-filled wall called an “iconostasis” that is typically found today in Orthodox churches.

An isometric (3D) diagram to give you some sense of the multiple lines of columns (here there are double rows on each side) that would have demarcated the different areas of a basilica. Note the opening for the apse is a curved opening in the front wall. This would become a place much decorated with mosaics. Basilicas worked well for the post-Constantinian church since many processions became part of the this imperial liturgy, and the clergy wore senatorial-style robes (the origins of vestments) in their dual role of public official and religious leader.

You can actually visit an early basicilica in the German city of Trier, which had been a Roman town. See how the rounded apse projects out from the rectangular space. Note the two levels of windows that provide abundant light. This is really a very simple structure.

Here's what it looks like today to be inside the Basilica of Trier. Note the flat “coffered” ceiling, as we saw in the Roman civic basilica reconstruction. Remember that in the early church there were no chairs, other than for the bishop, and only perhaps a bench in the apse for the clergy. Otherwise everyone else stood. In other words, there would have been no chairs around as in this contemporary photo.

This side view of Old St. Peter's gives you a sense for the main area and the side arcades. Arcades help people circulate. For example, one description of worship in the time of Pope Leo reports how the deacons would run around during communion giving invitations to the post-liturgy brunch! Notice the wood beams of the ceiling. These were prone to fires...the cause of Old St. Peter's demise.

This rendering of Old St. Peter's gives us a sense for how large the welcoming courtyard was. At the side of the building in the round building would have been the baptistry, since at this time in many places baptism was conducted in a separate building, sometimes in what had originally been a Roman bath.

Both views of Old St. Peter's to help you orient yourself.

Construction of Old St. Peter's was done in stages, as you can see suggested by this diagram.

Here's how by raising the apsidial floor of Old St Peter's the altar could be located over what was thought to be the tomb of St. Peter. Note the bishop's chair -- the cathedra -- in the back of the apse. This is a far cry from the more informal house churches where a room would be adapted for worship and a table brought in for the breaking of the bread. See Edward Foley's FROM AGE TO AGE for more background on how we got from simple improvised and adapted house churches to the post-Constantinian bascilicas with thrones for the bishop.

San Clemente is another Roman basilica, one built over an ancient house church. In this rendering you can see how the apse is highly decorated, as are the floors. Also you can note that the openness of the early basilican form has been lost. The assembly is literally walled-out from the area of the bishop, priests, and deacons.

A diagram of San Clemente indicating different layers of development.

San Clemente today. I visited this church. Have you? If so, what do you recall? Notice the arches in the colonnades. Arches are very important in basilican architecture. The Romans built incredible buildings, aquaducts, triumphal entries, and bridges using the arch.

This diagram suggests that the worship spaces for the women and men gradually became separated.

Notice how the arches function in this 4th C section of San Clemente, how sturdy those arches are to hold up all that brick.

Another ancient basilica you can still visit is Santa Sabina in Rome, a church the Dominicans care for. Are you noticing the basilican features we've already seen? What are they?

Here's the outside of Santa Sabina, very similar in appearance to the Trier Bascilica. However the apse only has one level of windows.* (This and other images you have seen in this web album have come from the MERLOT website that provides images for education. Many of the photos were taken and are copyrighted by Kathleen Cohen. All rights reserved. I have noted her photos with an asterisk. Others come from the collection of Gilbert Ostdiek, OFM., who previously taught this course.

If you go to worship in Santa Sabina, here's what you will find.

Another view of Santa Sabina.*

How graceful arr the columns and arches parading down the longitudinal axis! We get a feeling of movement and rhythm from this kind of architectural repetition.

Santa Maria Maggiore is another Roman basilica you can still visit. It was built between 432-440.

The arches here are not in the colonnade but in the windows above. Notice the flat coffered ceiling and the apse at the far end.*

The Roman church of Santa Costanza is an entirely different approach to a church building...because it was originally not a building for worship. It was a mausoleum for Constantine's daughter. Circular buildings were not uncommon for such places. Some Roman ones would have an opening at the top for the spirit of the dead to rise.