Why Do Churches Have Steeples?

New Testament and early churches didn't have steeples, not because they didn't want them but because they couldn't have them. Christianity was illegal, and Christians met in secret. The turning point in the history of Christianity came in the early 300s with the Edict of Milan, issued by the emperor Constantine. This landmark decree legalized Christianity, liberating Christians from their clandestine gatherings and enabling them to worship God openly. With this newfound freedom, Christians began manifesting their faith by creating beautiful sanctuaries, with the steeple emerging as a powerful symbol of their devotion. The church steeple is a tall tower on top of the sanctuary, and the spire is the highest part of the steeple. These showed up in the early 600s. But when Churches built them, they did so for several reasons:

1. It pointed people to look upward, to heaven. It served as a constant reminder that god is far above us.

2. It contained the church bells. These bells served as an audible reminder to the community not only of the time but also when the services began.

3. The steeple was to serve as a landmark, guiding people to the church's location. Church steeples were often the tallest structures in the area, making them easily visible from a distance and helping people find their way to the place of worship.

While Church steeples are not necessary, they do serve as a confession of faith. The steeple points us toward heaven to remind us that there is a God far above us. And while God is heavenly, high, and holy, yet He has deigned Himself to dwell among us, poor, lowly sinners. He left His glorious throne in heaven to become flesh, to come to us, to bear our sins, and to be our Savior. The steeple not only tells us of a God who is far above us, but it reminds us that He is among us even now. He comes to His dear Church not only spiritually but also bodily for the forgiveness of our sins. And the steeple is a constant reminder that the church is where heaven and earth meet.