Name

High Gothic Revival

General Range

1850-1920

High style Gothic Revival churches were constructed throughout the nation beginning in the 1840s. These buildings continue the Gothic ecclesiastical designs of Medieval Europe. Most of these high style Gothic Revival churches feature a Latin cross footprint like those found in European cathedrals, with a rectangular minority choice. Common exterior features include towers, often with spires, panel and lancet windows, buttresses, bell-cotes, rosette windows, and quatrefoil windows. Examples built prior to the Civil War were mostly limited to Episcopalian and Catholic church buildings; other denominations such as the Presbyterians and Methodists began to construct high style Gothic Revival churches after the Civil War when they made the move away from their nonconformist roots.
 
The interior of high style Gothic Revival churches retain the 3-part division of space that had been common in Medieval Europe. The main entrance leads into the narthex. The main seating area is the nave, where benches were organized in rows facing forward (in Medieval times, congregants stood for worship). Benches often feature Gothic elements such as quatrefoils and pointed arch recesses. Churches that have interior arcades that are partially supported by flying buttresses usually have benches in the side aisles. The innermost area is the chancel (called the sanctuary in Medieval times); this is the location of the altar and pulpit. Rich decorations and statuary are found in Catholic churches but usually not in churches of other denominations.

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Municipality

Name

Address

City of Corry

203 W WASHINGTON ST

Elk Creek Township

8438 PAGEVILLE RD

City of Erie

G.C. Church of the Nativity

247 E Front St

City of Erie

St. Joseph Bread of Life RC Ch

157 24TH & SASSAFRAS ST

City of Erie

921 EAST AVE

City of Erie

Full Gospel Baptist Ch

947 W 9 ST

Lake City Borough

Grace Episcopal Church

10121 HALL AVE

North East Borough

St. Mary's College

16 W Division St