Height and Light in the House of God

The Gothic style of architecture emerged in France almost 900 years ago and gave birth to the great Gothic churches and cathedrals of Saint Denis, Sens, Notre Dame, Chartres, Reims, Amiens, and more. Their soaring architecture and incomparable stained glass have lifted hearts to God and illumined souls seeking grace down through the centuries. They have also provided an intriguing architectural mystery for the ages: How did the Gothic architects, builders, and artists achieve such great height, beauty, and permanence using the most rudimentary of tools and materials?

Join engineering professor Dr. Justin Greenly and art history professor Carl Fougerousse as they delve into the scientific and artistic mysteries embedded in the great Christian architectural heritage of the Gothic churches of France.

Dr. Greenly and Professor Fougerousse taught Height and Light in the House of God at the Kartause Maria Thronus Iesu, a former Carthusian monastery in Gaming, Austria, which is itself home to a church originally designed in the Gothic style. The course was part of Franciscan University’s three-week Austria Summer Experience, which is held annually at the Kartause, Franciscan’s semester abroad site.

For information on upcoming courses in the Austria Summer Experience, visit the program’s website.