Ben's Golden Age

It was third grade, sitting through one of Mrs. Riddle’s long addition and subtraction lectures that I first talked to my ever-so-lovely girlfriend of three weeks, Noel Bautista. Never had I been so in love. As I sit here scrimmaging through my Art History textbook, my mind is sent back to the golden days of Ben Carnes’ dating life by the name of una iglesia de Espana- San Juan Bautista. Almost comparable in beauty to my third-grade girlfriend, San Juan Bautista takes inspiration from the Basilican planned-churches that came into popularity in the second century. Erected by King Recceswinth in 661, the church combines this Basilican plan with the use of multiple square apses. It also takes inspiration from the Islamic Great Mosque of Córdoba by incorporating horseshoe arches into its design.

Upon first glance, my immediate thought was that the church looked like something that could be found on an old abandoned farm in the rolling hills of Tennessee. The stonework and overall design of the church seem like familiar qualities of buildings that I have seen on weekend hikes with my friends. The church itself does not remind me of a church at all though (even churches that are commonly known to have been from this time period). Its small scale and rugged stonework make it unique among Early Medieval churches.

After a closer look at the church, the Spanish influence is incredibly evident in its ceilings. The ceilings remind of those of the buildings of Pepperdine University (a possible college choice of mine), whose buildings are influenced by Spanish architecture. Ironically, both the church and Pepperdine University obviously hold to their Christian roots. All in all, I find the overall architecture of San Juan Bautista breathtakingly beautiful. I have always had an interest in old and rugged buildings (which I guess explains my crush on my 6th grade teacher Mrs. Harwell). Hopefully my dating life will return back to its incredibly active, always got a girl at my side lifestyle. Until then, I’m stuck looking at pictures of pretty churches.