As a fellow North Carolina native, Billy Graham once said, “The church isn’t just a particular building or congregation, but the spiritual fellowship of all who belong to Jesus Christ. If we belong to Christ, we also belong to each other.” This highlights that the church refers to the gathered fellowship of believers. The term ‘church’ comes from the Greek ‘ekklēsia,’ meaning ‘assembly’ or ‘gathering.’ ‘Ekklēsia‘ first appears in the Book of Matthew, Chapter 16, Verse 18, when Jesus says, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (NIV).
Our global travels have led us to many places of worship, inspiring a growing list of posts that feature cathedrals, churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples that encourage soul-searching and reflection. These buildings represent more than architecture; they are communities where imperfect believers seek self-improvement through faith. My main message is that both the experiences within these spaces and the communities themselves inspire introspection and growth.
The list below features places of worship from around the world and are listed alphabetically by article title.