I Love Visiting and Sharing Churches!!!

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I’m a Local Guide enthusiast and love to share churches in my area, but also do niche travel in searching for the most beautiful churches wherever I go. I find churches are highly underrated. After the Notre Dame fire, I feel that my work in posting photos of churches around the world has been a living museum of them, so people may enjoy them before they visit, seeing them as they are now, and viewing them as an armchair tourist or a historic place in the future.

These are just 20 of a few lesser-known beautiful churches I’ve visited just within the past 365 days. And in some cases, the local official cathedral isn’t the place to see these beautiful buildings! On top of that, the people and events will often add to its beauty.

St. Edward the Confessor Church in Winnipeg. It was between two regular Sunday Masses which were filled up. I enjoyed this building more than both Roman Catholic Cathedrals in the city.
St. Edward the Confessor Church in Winnipeg. It was between two regular Sunday Masses which were filled up. I enjoyed this building more than both Roman Catholic Cathedrals in the city.1920×1080 272 KB
The chapel at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton is a hidden gem and only open to the public for Mass once a month.
The chapel at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton is a hidden gem and only open to the public for Mass once a month.1920×1080 298 KB
Every year on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, there is a procession of the statue around the community. Children dress up as the three saints which were part of the history behind this Catholic Marian apparition.
Every year on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, there is a procession of the statue around the community. Children dress up as the three saints which were part of the history behind this Catholic Marian apparition.1656×930 476 KB
This church in Strome, Alberta is only open once a year (and privately booked for weddings). During the annual Mass, there is a blessing of the graves in the graveyard by the church.
This church in Strome, Alberta is only open once a year (and privately booked for weddings). During the annual Mass, there is a blessing of the graves in the graveyard by the church.3008×1688 1.16 MB
St. Paul's Basilica is Toronto's oldest Catholic Parish community church. It's not hard to get to by streetcar, but most people only visit St. Michael's Cathedral a short walk from here.
St. Paul's Basilica is Toronto's oldest Catholic Parish community church. It's not hard to get to by streetcar, but most people only visit St. Michael's Cathedral a short walk from here.1024×576 105 KB
This Most Holy Redeemer Church in Detroit was a definite surprise. There are many gorgeous and historic churches in Detroit.
This Most Holy Redeemer Church in Detroit was a definite surprise. There are many gorgeous and historic churches in Detroit.1024×575 161 KB
The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Detroit is a rare octagonal shape which was common in early Christian church designs. A sight to see!
The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Detroit is a rare octagonal shape which was common in early Christian church designs. A sight to see!1024×575 103 KB
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa is one of the most beautiful basilicas I've been to in Canada. The vaulted roof reminds me very much of the Major Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa is one of the most beautiful basilicas I've been to in Canada. The vaulted roof reminds me very much of the Major Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.1024×575 196 KB
St. Mary & St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church is the only Coptic Orthodox church in Edmonton, and it's in my own community of Mill Woods! So many incredible places of worship where I live. Here I attended their celebration of Coptic New Year in September.
St. Mary & St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church is the only Coptic Orthodox church in Edmonton, and it's in my own community of Mill Woods! So many incredible places of worship where I live. Here I attended their celebration of Coptic New Year in September.1024×575 117 KB
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is a Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague. But they have some lovely modern stained glass windows all over the church, including some featuring Canadian saints. Here is another stained glass there where the Infant of Prague replica is located.
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is a Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague. But they have some lovely modern stained glass windows all over the church, including some featuring Canadian saints. Here is another stained glass there where the Infant of Prague replica is located.1024×575 175 KB
St. Joseph's Basilica in Edmonton is the cathedral in my own city. It's far from the most beautiful church in my city though.
St. Joseph's Basilica in Edmonton is the cathedral in my own city. It's far from the most beautiful church in my city though.1024×575 215 KB
St. John the Baptist Church in Polska, Alberta is only open once a year in this ghost town. Lovely painted interior is rare for Roman Catholic Churches in Alberta. This church is over 100 years old.
St. John the Baptist Church in Polska, Alberta is only open once a year in this ghost town. Lovely painted interior is rare for Roman Catholic Churches in Alberta. This church is over 100 years old.1024×575 191 KB
St. Charles Church in north Edmonton is a more modern design, but the facade is quite striking, especially from the Anthony Henday ring road nearby.
St. Charles Church in north Edmonton is a more modern design, but the facade is quite striking, especially from the Anthony Henday ring road nearby.1024×575 83 KB
I'm glad to have been the first to post photos of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church on Google Maps. It's pretty much as rural Alberta as it gets. Many of these churches all over Alberta.
I'm glad to have been the first to post photos of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church on Google Maps. It's pretty much as rural Alberta as it gets. Many of these churches all over Alberta.1024×576 60.3 KB
While this is definitely the simplest church on the whole list this year, this first cathedral for the diocese of St. Albert (now Archdiocese of Edmonton) has historical significance as the oldest building in all of the province of Alberta.
While this is definitely the simplest church on the whole list this year, this first cathedral for the diocese of St. Albert (now Archdiocese of Edmonton) has historical significance as the oldest building in all of the province of Alberta.1024×575 166 KB
My first time stepping into First Presbyterian Church in downtown Edmonton didn't disappoint. The beautiful organ and its sounds aren't hidden at the back like most churches, but front and centre, adding to a whole different experience.
My first time stepping into First Presbyterian Church in downtown Edmonton didn't disappoint. The beautiful organ and its sounds aren't hidden at the back like most churches, but front and centre, adding to a whole different experience.1024×575 212 KB
St. Agnes used to be known unofficially as the ugliest church in Edmonton. Not anymore after its renovations.
St. Agnes used to be known unofficially as the ugliest church in Edmonton. Not anymore after its renovations.1024×575 111 KB
Stumbled across Holy Name Parish church while in Toronto's Greektown for some baklava. Unfortunately it wasn't open, but what an interesting facade!
Stumbled across Holy Name Parish church while in Toronto's Greektown for some baklava. Unfortunately it wasn't open, but what an interesting facade!1024×575 74 KB

Sts. Vladimir & Olga Cathedral (Ukrainian Catholic Church) in Winnipeg is missed often as people visit the facade ruins of St. Boniface Cathedral. This is the most important church in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada! It's got stained glass of all the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedrals across the country!
Sts. Vladimir & Olga Cathedral (Ukrainian Catholic Church) in Winnipeg is missed often as people visit the facade ruins of St. Boniface Cathedral. This is the most important church in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada! It's got stained glass of all the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedrals across the country!1920×1080 416 KB
All Saints Catholic Church was a quaint little church I visited for Christmas. Tight knit community and a lovely interior in the middle of rural PEI down East.
All Saints Catholic Church was a quaint little church I visited for Christmas. Tight knit community and a lovely interior in the middle of rural PEI down East.1920×1080 355 KB

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Hallo, ich finde die Aufnahmen toll. Ich fotografiere als gläubiger Mensch auch gern Kirchen und Kirchen gehören bei einem Urlaub immer dazu. Ich bin als Rentner(72) jetzt auch bei Local guide (level3) und habe eine Frage an Sie, den Profi im Level 8. Wie trage ich eine nicht eingetragene Kirche bei Local Guide ein. Ich finde dazu keine Kategorie. Ebenso geht es mir so bei Sehenswürdigkeiten. Können Sie mit da einen Tipp geben? Danke, dass ich auf Ihre Bilder gefunden habe. wunderschön. Liebe Grüße JS.

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Hi Joe,

Thanks for your reply, and hello from Canada!

To register a church that’s not listed, you simply need to follow the same procedures to “add a place.”

Before you add the church, find out as much information as you can about it:

  • Is there is a website or not. If the church is a closed historic church, use the website of the “owner” of the church, usually the diocese, eparchy, or synod.

  • Are there regular hours of operation? This includes office hours and often forgotten Mass and Sunday service times.

  • What is the physical address? Sometimes no one knows the address to churches in rural locations, so you may need some help in finding this out. Once the address is added, you may need to correct the Google Maps marker.

  • Capture photos from as many angles of the building as you can, then select 2-4 to post. Your photos will be the only ones associated with the location for a while, so you’ll get all the views to the location!

  • Find out the official name of the church. Many times, locals call the church by a different name than the official name. Usually a sign on the building will help.

Once you have the information you need to add the listing. Under category, you may add “church.” If there is something more specific, such as “Catholic church,” use that.

Once you submit your listing, it may take up to 2 days for the church to show up on Google Maps. The more listings you add, the quicker it will show up on Google Maps. Many of my listings now show up immediately because I have been sending in a lot of corrections and proper listings.

Hope this helps!

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Danke für die Antwort und die Hilfe, ich werde es so probieren und melde mich wenn ich Erfolg habe. JS