5 Most Beautiful Gothic Churches In Georgia

Georgia’s unique Gothic churches demonstrate how European styles of religious architecture evolved in the Southern United States. From the coastal areas of Georgia to the central and mountainous regions of the state, the state's geographical makeup influenced the movement of people and the construction of parishes throughout the 19th century. As Georgia’s cities expanded, Catholic and Episcopal communities grew alongside them, supported by architects trained in Gothic Revival and related European-inspired methods. These five examples will allow you to experience Georgia’s rich architectural and ecclesiastical history and see how this style has become an integral part of Georgia's spiritual landscape.

Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta

Many visitors walking down Atlanta’s streets are unaware of a significant post-Civil War landmark standing near the Georgia State Capitol. Built between 1873 and 1880, the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the oldest Catholic church in North Georgia and Atlanta’s first Catholic Parish. The architectural contributions made to this building by William H. Parkins were instrumental in establishing him as a top architect in Georgia. They influenced the early development of Catholic architecture throughout the South. In the church nave lies the final resting place of Father Thomas O’Reilly, who was pastor of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (then known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception) during the Civil War and is credited with saving the church and nearby structures from being burned by Union forces, placing the church at the center of Atlanta’s survival story.

Guests can tour the church independently or join guided tours, which are provided periodically by volunteers. The tours provide additional information about the church’s architectural details. Visitors also have the opportunity to attend weekday Mass and Sunday services, allowing them to experience the church’s acoustic properties, created by the vaulted ceiling and wooden trusses.

The Church of the Holy Family, Columbus

History gives this church an unusual depth for a Gothic building in Georgia. It was originally built in 1835 under the name of St. Philip and James. After being moved to its current site, it was renamed The Church of the Holy Family and formally dedicated on May 12, 1880. Foley’s architectural style created the building’s pointed arches, stained-glass program, and emphasis on vertical lines. When Columbus evolved into a regional center, the church became a well-known historic landmark and remains the only true Gothic Revival church in the city.

Visitors often enter the sanctuary and first observe one of the most impressive aspects of the interior, a trompe l’oeil technique that creates the illusion of stone columns rising up from the floor. The sanctuary retains its original pew arrangement and nave, while the stained-glass windows project colorful light onto the original hardwood floors and trim. Visitors can visit during weekday hours to pray or make a quiet visit. On Sundays, the church hosts a regular Sunday Mass and welcomes visitors from the parish as well as travelers. Upon leaving the church, visitors have the opportunity to view the church from various viewpoints due to the historic streets around it, creating views of the spire and further emphasizing the church’s role as a spiritual and architectural anchor in the heart of Columbus.

Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta

Atlanta’s Cathedral is considered one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture within the city and has one of the ten largest Catholic parishes in the United States. The Cathedral of Christ the King is a French Gothic-style sanctuary designed by architect Henry D. Dagit and completed in 1939. This sanctuary is made from Indiana limestone, and Architectural Record magazine has called it “one of the most beautiful buildings in Atlanta.” The Cathedral is an example of pointed arches, upward-driving lines, and fine carvings on its stonework. Inside the cathedral are deep, ruby- and cobalt-stained glass windows that illuminate the nave under ribbed ceilings, serving both visual and acoustic purposes. In 1956, the Cathedral became the see of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and today remains one of the most important architectural sites in north Georgia for Catholics.

Each weekday, visitors may come to quietly observe the interior of the sanctuary, including the stone tracery, handcrafted choir stalls, and the stained glass windows. On Sundays, the Cathedral is filled with parishioners attending Mass, and those who cannot attend in person can tune into the live stream of the service affectionately referred to as the pew with a view. Docents offer guided tours throughout the year and provide information about the historical significance and architectural details of the Cathedral. Visitors often visit the Cathedral and then take a stroll through the Buckhead neighborhood nearby, which provides green spaces and tree-lined streets surrounding the Cathedral grounds.

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Savannah

Standing on Madison Square since 1853, St. John’s Episcopal Church is a living example of what can be done with Gothic Revival style when talent and funding come together. Designed by well-known architect Calvin N. Otis, the sanctuary is filled with classic Gothic Revival elements, including a crenellated tower and narrow lancet windows. In addition to these visual elements, the interior of the church features a timbered ceiling that resembles an upside-down ship’s keel, referencing both the Bible’s account of Noah’s Ark during the Great Flood and the idea of the church as a place of safety and refuge. While the furnishings are modern, the stained glass windows remain a testament to the original 19th-century design and glow with vibrant colors of deep reds, greens, and blues.

Guests of the church are invited to take a guided tour every Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., which provides them with information about how the church was designed and what many of the symbols in the stained glass represent. The Green-Meldrim House, a beautiful and ornate home built in 1872, is located directly adjacent to the church and was once considered the most expensive residence in Savannah at the time of its construction. Due to financial difficulties after the death of its owner, Mr. Meldrim, in 1919, the property was purchased by St. John’s in 1943. At the time of purchase, the property was severely damaged, and the congregation decided to restore it to its former glory, using their own funds to do so. After restoration was complete, the congregation used the restored property as the parish house for the church. The Green-Meldrim House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 due to the architectural extravagance of the property itself, as well as its significant role during the American Civil War.

The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta

The great surprise many people experience is learning about the early history of St. Philip’s Cathedral before it became a cathedral. The first St. Philip Mission Church was a simple, small, framed, triple-gable chapel built in 1847. From 1881 to 1883, a larger, much more impressive church was built. This church was a vivid representation of the Gothic Revival style. At the time, it served a large number of congregants who were moving to the area after the Reconstruction Era. The need for a larger space to accommodate the parish eventually led to the planning and construction of the present cathedral. It was completed in 1933, utilizing limestone and brick patterns to accentuate the verticality of the building. The interior design includes pointed arches and a cruciform layout.

Many start their visit with quiet contemplation in the sanctuary of the cathedral. The stained glass windows filter the natural light from outside into the sanctuary, casting deep reds and blues onto the carved choir stalls. The cloister garden located outside the sanctuary has arched walkways lined with ivy-covered stone, providing a peaceful place to sit and read. In addition to quiet reflection, the cathedral also hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year. These include concerts featuring sacred music and seasonal liturgies that bring together choirs and pipe organs, filling the nave with beautiful sound. Visitors will find a selection of items available in the cathedral gift shop, including local devotional art, historic prints of the cathedral, books, and other souvenirs.

Georgia’s Gothic Legacy

Georgia’s historic examples of Gothic architecture represent generations of immigration and skill, which are part of the fabric of both its downtown areas and small towns. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, built during the latter half of the 19th century in Atlanta, is a reminder of the city’s early history of Catholicism and provides an example of late Gothic architectural details. St. John’s Episcopal Church in Savannah exemplifies Gothic verticality, complemented by a refined symbolic interior and the historic rectory, the Green-Meldrim House, which matches its exterior beauty. Atlanta’s Cathedral of Christ the King, one of the largest parishes in the United States, is a representation of the elegant Gothic style from France in Indiana Limestone. The Cathedral of St. Philip combines the traditions of High Victorian Gothic style with the early foundation of a Mission church, connecting its past to its present-day worship. Lastly, Columbus’s Church of the Holy Family exemplifies the Irish-designed Gothic architectural style, featuring unique artistic qualities that include painted illusions resembling carved stone.