Real churches are used in films quite often, more than one might think. But did you know that some of them are Catholic? Let's take a look at some of the houses of worship seen on the big screen.
Churches, including Catholic ones, have been used many times in film history, in all different genres, from musicals to thrillers to superhero epics.
Because of their ornate structure and often scenic settings, church locations can be inside the sanctuary, outside, or sometimes just seen in a quick appearance (like the New York City church menaced by the Stay-Puft Man in Ghostbusters).
Let's take a look at films in which churches played a role.
The Sound of Music (1965)
In the beloved classic The Sound of Music (1965) Basilka St. Michael was used for the wedding scene between Maria (Julie Andrews) and Baron von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Located in Mondsee, Austria, the church can be distinguished by its bright yellow exterior and its ornate, beautiful interior.
It perfectly matches the film's setting, which takes place in Saltzburg, Austria. The church to this day is still functional and is part of several The Sound of Music-themed tours around the surrounding area.
Alfred Hitchcock Films
Film Director Alfred Hitchcock, also known as the “Master of Suspense,” was born and raised Catholic and continued in the Faith.
From the National Catholic Register:
As is well-known, Hitchcock was born and raised a Catholic. His Catholicism was heavily influenced by his Irish forebears and deepened further by the London Jesuits who taught him. His fiancée Alma converted to the faith just before their marriage in 1926; their only child, Patricia, was brought up Catholic. Often the family was seen on Sundays at Good Shepherd Church in Beverly Hills. Beyond this, Hitchcock’s faith remains largely a mystery.
To further the evidence of Hitchcock’s Catholicism, many of his films include churches, whether they are the main setting for a scene or just in the background.
One of his films to notably mention that includes a church is Vertigo (1958). Mission San Juan Bautista, located in San Juan Bautista, California, was the tower scenes' filming location. We also get to see a good glimpse of the altar inside, when the main character of the film John (James Stewart) runs through the church to reach the tower.
Another one of Hitchcock’s films that includes a cameo of a church is The Birds (1963). Saint Teresa of Avila, located in Bodega, California, can be seen in the background of a few scenes. Including the schoolyard scene when the birds chase the children.
Even though it remains in the background, it still adds to the setting, and is recognized to this day for being in the film.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Saint Brendan Catholic Church, located in Los Angeles, California, has been used for quite a few films, including War of the Worlds (1953), Armageddon (1998), Fight Club (1999), and Spider-Man 3 (2007).
The Gothic Revival-Style church was built in 1927 and is still active today, within the parish and with studios using the building as a filming location. Notably it is used in a pivotal scene in Spider-Man 3, when the character of Eddie Brock (Topher Grace) goes inside Saint Brendan’s to pray, right before he becomes the character of Venom.
This video compares early animatic versions of the scenes with the final version:
Father Stu (2022)
Saint Mary of the Angels, located in Los Angeles, California, is a small but quaint Anglican church. It was as one of the main set locations for Father Stu, a film about real-life boxer-turned-priest Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg).
In the powerful scene where Father Stu gives his first sermon, the interior of Saint Mary of the Angels can be seen from many different angles.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Peachtree Christian Church, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is not a Catholic church. However, for the film Captain America: Civil War, it was chosen by Marvel studios because of Peachtree’s interior design.
The building was modeled after Scotland's Melrose Abbey, which was founded by Cistercian monks. Peachtree’s first minister was inspired after traveling through England and Scotland and wanted Peachtree to have elements of the Abbey.
It's a Disciples of Christ church and calls itself "a cathedral for the city" of Atlanta. Fittingly, the interior of Peachtree is quite grand.
In Captain America: Civil War, the third installment of the Captain America films, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Infinity Saga, Peachtree was the place where Captain America, a k a Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), attends the London-set funeral of Agent Peggy Carter.
Image: Canva
Grace Reel is a Graphic Designer and Marketer. She's currently a student at John Paul the Great Catholic University, and a freelance social-media coordinator for Family Theater Productions.
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