Churches in Postcards

by Robyn Sheather

Beverly churches on postcards are often the first church of that religion to be built in Beverly. [1] Churches are photographed on postcards because they represent the architectural styles of the time.  St. Mary’s Church, for example, looks like it was used as an example of the architectural designs of that day.  In this picture it shows a house next to the church and the house actually resembles the church in different aspects.  Some of these aspects are the arched doorframe, and the triangular peaks above the windows. [2] Churches were usually built to last a long time.  They can also represent the wealth of that religious community.  Those churches that were built with brick and had marble interiors with stained glass were obviously built as a place of worship for the most prominent and wealthy citizens of that faith.  When building a new church, the prominent and wealthy class would want to have the most up-to-date styles of that time and they had the money to do so.

Those churches that were built more simply, that is with wood and a plain and sparse interior, may have served as a place of worship for the lower classes.  Although the lower classes would also want to have the most up-to-date styles when building a new church they unlike the wealthy did not have the money to spend doing so. 

The religion itself can also influence the architectural style.  For example a religion that seeks to overpower its followers may build an extravagant church, whereas other religions which frown on material worth will build a more simple structure.

Primary Research Online, “Postcards of Beverly”, 2002, <http://primaryresearch.org/postcards/index.htm> (Oct. 02)

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