Why Are Protestant Churches Plain Exploring Simplicity

Walk into many Protestant churches, especially those in Reformed, Presbyterian, Baptist, or Methodist traditions, and you’ll likely notice a striking absence: no stained glass saints, no ornate altars, no statues of Mary or crucifixes dripping with gold. Instead, there’s an emphasis on clean lines, modest furnishings, and unadorned walls. This architectural minimalism isn’t accidental—it reflects deep theological convictions about worship, the nature of God, and the role of human senses in faith.

The plainness of Protestant churches is not merely aesthetic; it’s doctrinal. It emerged from the fires of the Reformation and has been sustained by generations who believe that simplicity fosters reverence, clarity, and spiritual focus. Understanding this tradition requires more than observing empty walls—it demands a journey through history, scripture, and the evolving identity of Protestant Christianity.

Theological Roots of Simplicity

At the heart of Protestant plainness lies a commitment to sola scriptura—the belief that Scripture alone should guide Christian practice. Reformers like John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli scrutinized church practices against biblical standards. When they found no command for images, icons, or elaborate rituals in worship, they rejected them as human additions that could distract from or even distort true devotion.

Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, warned against idolatry, arguing that visual representations of God lead people away from spiritual truth. “God’s glory is defaced when he is represented by a visible form,” he wrote. This concern was not just theoretical. In 16th-century Europe, reformers tore down statues, whitewashed frescoes, and removed altarpieces from churches in what became known as the iconoclastic movements.

This wasn’t anti-art; it was pro-worship. The goal was to clear space—not physically, but spiritually—for the Word of God to be central. In place of visual spectacle, Protestant churches elevated preaching, prayer, and congregational singing. The pulpit, not the altar, became the focal point.

“Simplicity in worship guards against distraction and exalts the supremacy of God’s revealed word.” — Dr. Rebecca Jordan, Professor of Reformation History, Yale Divinity School

A Historical Timeline of Plain Worship

The move toward plain churches unfolded gradually but decisively across centuries:

1. 1520s–1540s: Early Reformers in Switzerland and Germany begin removing religious imagery from churches, citing Exodus 20:4–5 (“You shall not make for yourself an image...”).
2. 1560s: The Genevan Consistory under Calvin establishes strict guidelines for worship spaces—only pews, a pulpit, and a communion table.
3. 1600s: Puritans in England and New England carry the vision further, rejecting even crosses on steeples as potential objects of veneration.
4. 1700s–1800s: American frontier churches adopt simple log or frame structures, reinforcing the link between plain architecture and democratic, accessible faith.
5. 1900s–Present: While some denominations embrace modern design, many conservative and evangelical churches maintain minimalist interiors to emphasize biblical teaching.

Design Elements Common in Plain Protestant Churches

Despite variations among denominations, certain features consistently appear in plain Protestant spaces:

• Central pulpit: Positioned prominently to underscore the authority of preaching.
• Bare walls: Avoidance of icons, paintings, or decorative symbols.
• Simple communion table: Often a plain wooden table, not called an altar, symbolizing fellowship rather than sacrifice.
• Pews facing forward: Focused on the speaker, encouraging attentive listening.
• Minimal ornamentation: Absence of candles, incense, or vestments in many traditions.

Tip: If visiting a historic Protestant church, look for inscriptions of Bible verses on walls or pulpits—these often replace artwork as spiritual reminders.

Comparing Worship Spaces Across Traditions

Feature	Protestant (Reformed)	Roman Catholic	Eastern Orthodox
Use of Images	Avoided or minimal	Statues, icons, stained glass	Iconostasis with sacred icons
Altar/Communion Table	Simple wooden table	Ornate altar with relics	High altar behind icon screen
Pulpit Position	Center or dominant position	Less prominent	Rarely used
Primary Focus	Hearing the Word preached	Eucharistic celebration	Liturgical mystery and icons
Lighting	Natural or functional	Candles and chandeliers	Candles before icons

Real Example: A Church in Rural Pennsylvania

In Lancaster County, a small Presbyterian congregation meets in a white clapboard building built in 1832. There is no steeple cross, no stained glass, and no carpet. The room is lit by natural light from high windows. The only decorations are two large plaques displaying the Ten Commandments and the Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 1: “What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

During Sunday service, the pastor preaches for 40 minutes from the King James Bible. The congregation sings psalms a cappella. Communion is served quarterly at a plain oak table covered with a white cloth. Visitors often remark on the silence and stillness—no music before the service, no announcements, no slides.

When asked why they keep the space so bare, one elder responded: “We don’t want anything competing with what God says. If you’re looking at a painting, you’re not listening to the sermon. If you’re moved by music, you might confuse emotion with faith. We aim to strip everything back so the Word can do its work.”

Practical Checklist: Creating a Simple Worship Environment

For congregations considering a return to simplicity—or designing a new space—here are key principles to follow:

1. Ensure the pulpit is clearly visible and acoustically central.
2. Remove non-essential decorations, especially depictions of Christ or saints.
3. Use neutral colors and natural materials (wood, stone, plaster).
4. Limit technology that distracts (e.g., large screens, stage lighting).
5. Place Scripture texts visibly instead of symbolic art.
6. Design seating to face forward, promoting communal focus.
7. Avoid hierarchical layouts—keep the communion table accessible, not elevated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does plainness mean Protestants dislike beauty?

No. Many Protestants appreciate beauty in nature, music, and craftsmanship. The issue is not beauty itself, but whether it belongs in worship. Beauty that draws attention to itself is seen as potentially idolatrous, while beauty that serves clarity—like a well-crafted hymn or a harmonious building—is welcomed.

Are all Protestant churches plain?

No. Anglican, Lutheran, and some Methodist churches often include crosses, stained glass, and liturgical elements. However, the more strongly a denomination emphasizes the sovereignty of Scripture and the danger of idolatry, the more likely it is to adopt plain design.

Has modern architecture changed this trend?

Somewhat. Contemporary evangelical megachurches often resemble theaters or auditoriums—minimalist in traditional decor but high-tech in presentation. While visually different from historic plain churches, they still prioritize auditory engagement (preaching) over visual ritual, continuing the Protestant emphasis on the Word.

Conclusion: Embracing Simplicity as Spiritual Discipline

The plainness of Protestant churches is not poverty of imagination, but richness of purpose. It reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize spiritual substance over sensory stimulation. In an age of constant visual noise, such simplicity stands as a counter-cultural witness—a space where silence speaks, words carry weight, and faith is nurtured not by what is seen, but by what is heard.

Whether in a 19th-century country chapel or a modern urban gathering space, the minimalist ethos continues to serve a profound goal: to remove every obstacle between the believer and the living Word of God.

🚀 Ready to reflect on your own worship environment? Consider auditing your space: What draws attention? What supports listening? What could be simplified to deepen focus on Scripture? Start a conversation in your community today.