Unusual Churches Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ethiopia

There are eleven rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia. The most famous of these is Saint George's which is one of the newer-built ones. It is carved in the shape of a cross. It is constructed from volcanic material. It is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. It was likely built around 1100 to 1200 AD.

Answer: Concert hall

Harajuku Church was originally built in 1904 but was rebuilt after World War II. The church stands in contrast to the rest of Tokyo's architecture as it is a bright white color and modern as opposed to the more intricate, traditional Japanese buildings and the metallic, grey newer ones.

The building is designed in such away to give the appearance of the biblical heavens as described in the Holy Book as well as providing for ideal acoustics.

Answer: Colombia

Las Lajas Shrine was completed in 1949 after over thirty years of construction within the Guaitara River Canyon. In addition to its unusual location and design, the church is best known for being the site of multiple sightings of the Virgin Mary, including an engraving of Mary that was not part of the original building and no one knows where it came from or how it got there.

Answer: Ivy

The Green Church was completed in 1939 and is also called Church of Jesus in the Garden of Olives. The church is covered nearly completely with ivy not because the plant became overgrown but intentionally so. The ivy is a reminder of the environmental impact humans have on the world and the church is a symbol to take care of the planet.

Answer: Metal

The church is popularly known as the Metal Church and its origins are that of legend. Although the town of Grecia has records regarding construction plans, popular myth is that the church was a gift from Spain to Greece that was mistakenly sent to the small town Grecia. Another legend is that the church was supposed to be sent to Chile.

Answer: Plague victims

The Sedlec Ossuary is a chapel located beneath the Cemetery Church of the All Saints in Sedlac, Czech Republic. The ossuary was originally a burial place for plague victims but because of the many waves of the Black Death the area experienced, graves had to be emptied to make way for new bodies.

In the early 18th century, many of the bodies were exhumed and the bones were remained in piles. In the following century, Frantisek Rint organized the bones and created furniture and designs that occupy the chapel.

The most famous feature is a chandelier with at least one of every bone in the body.

Answer: U.S. Air Force Academy

The chapel was built with the spires to give the appearance of a plane's wings. Originally the chapel was designed with twenty-one spires but the number was reduced for budget purposes. The building accommodates all religious faiths with the larger denominations having their own separate areas of worship.

The Cadet Chapel is located on the grounds of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Answer: The Invisible Church

Doorkijkkerk roughly translates to "reading between the lines church" which is typically shortened to the invisible church. The church is built with large gaps so the Belgian countryside is visible from inside and so that the church did not obstruct the view from those passing by. At certain angles, the church is only barely visible. It is located in the town of Borgloon.

Answer: Salt

The Salt Church of Zipaquira is built underground in a halite mine. Technically speaking, the church is not recognized as an official cathedral in the Roman Catholic rite because it has no bishop. The church has its origins in the 1930s when salt miners carved out an area for daily prayers and religious rites. Today, the church is a large area with section dedicated to the birth, life and death of Jesus.

Answer: Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja was completed in 1986 and is known its tall center spire. The building, which is one of the tallest in Iceland, has its peak in the center which pays tribute to Iceland's landscape. The sides of the church gradually decline the further away from the center spire they are. The church has also been described as a Viking helmet.