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Call me Belle of Visiting Pretty Church Buildings, as either a sightseer or attendee of a service or ceremony: in Italy and France, England, Poland, Germany and Austria, the Czech Republic and the USA.After I was asked to answer this question, I began purposely visiting churches just so I could provide an enhanced range of pictures of pretty church buildings to the list previously accrued.I will let the viewers decide which is prettiest for themselves. My answer can be found embedded in this gallery.I will post pictures of some of the churches that I have visited that might qualify for prettiest.All are a feast for the eyes.Get ready to scroll!Note: I had to grab a few pics from the internet for some churches. All are acknowledged.The first three pictures are of a church in Swidnica, Poland. It is the largest, Baroque, wooden church structure in Europe. Built in 1672 under limited conditions being that it is a Lutheran church, the Habsburg monarchy gave the builders one year to complete the construction. What a work of art. It is very, very pretty.It is listed on Unesco’s World Heritage Sites. Churches of Peace in Jawor and ŚwidnicaChurch of Peace (Kościół Pokoju), Świdnica, PolandPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Front entrance, Church of Peace, Swidnica, PolandPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Balcony and organ, Church of Peace, Swidnica, PolandPhotos source: Michele Shipley Klika, ceiling view, Church of Peace, Swidnica, PolandAnother pretty church that I have visited is the Pilgrimage Church of St. John Nepomuk at Zelená Hora, (kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého), completed in 1727, in Bohemia near Moravia, now the Czech Republic. What an unusually shaped church. It made Unesco’s World Heritage list in 2009. Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená HoraIt is a very, very pretty church building, both outside and inside. Maybe it should be called “gorgeous.”Photo source: Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená hora Pilgrimage Church of St. John Nepomuk, Zelená Hora in the Czech Republic/CzechiaPhoto source: Zelená hora začíná sezonu velikonočními prohlídkami, Pilgrimage Church of St. John Nepomuk, Zelená Hora in the Czech Republic/CzechiaNext on my list of prettiest church buildings are cathedrals, which are incredible works of art coupled with a feat of amazing human effort and tenacity, usually taking more than 100 years to complete. I have been to Notre Dame in Paris, St. Stephen’s in Vienna Exploring St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna | PlanetWare , St. Paul’s in London St Paul's Cathedral, St. Vitus at the Prague Castle complex St. Vitus Cathedral - Prague Castle for visitors, and The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. See Photos of the National Cathedral in Washington, DCTheir immense size and attention to architectural detail are bound to knock our socks off and hopefully rouse awe for the One who inspired those who built such structures.All cathedrals can vie for prettiest.Notre Dame, listed on Unesco’s World Heritage site, left a big impression on me during my visit there in 1980. A couple photos are deserved. Construction on Notre Dame began in 1163 and lasted 170 years. Notre-Dame de ParisPhoto source: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris et son trésor - Paris tourist office Notre Dame, Paris, FrancePhoto source: The Best Cathedrals In Paris | Beautiful Parisian Churches Notre Dame, Paris, FranceI have to include a couple photos of St. Stephen’s in Vienna, Austria. The original structure from the 13th century was bombed nearly to destruction during World War II, but has been restored and wow! is it ever pretty.Photo Source: Exploring St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna | PlanetWareLook at how elaborately it is decorated on the interior.Photo Source: Exploring St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna | PlanetWareFor comparison, check out gothic St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic. Construction began in 1344.Photo source: St. Vitus Cathedral - Prague Castle for visitorsPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Front entrance façade, St. Vitus Cathedral, PragueElegant, gothic vaulted ceilings are the something that make this structure grand and makes me catch my breath each time I see it.Photo source: St. Vitus Cathedral - Prague Castle for visitors balcony viewPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika eye-level view of the nave, bay, transep, chancel and ambulatory, St. Vitus Cathedral, PraguePhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika view of rose window, St. Vitus Cathedral, PraguePhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika side chapel, St. Vitus Cathedral, PragueAnd St. Paul’s in London, dating from the late 17th century, is too pretty to be left out of this cascading gallery.Photo Source: St Paul's CathedralPhoto source: St Paul's CathedralOn to basilicas, both enormous and small.In Europe, these dot the countryside like villages dot a map. Even the most humble are beautifully adorned on the inside.I have been to big names such as Sacre Coeur in Paris and St. Peter’s in Rome.Following are a few photos from jaunts in the Czech Republic.Church of the Holiest Trinity (Kostel Nejsvětější Trojice) is situated in the small town of Chýnov in Southern Bohemia. It was built on the site of a fortress which dates back to the late 10th century. The church itself in its present form dates from the late 17th century, while the striking clock tower with the onion-style dome is from the early 18th century. (Information: translated from a church brochure.)Photo Source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the Holiest Trinity, Chýnov, Southern BohemiaPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the Holiest Trinity, Chýnov, Southern BohemiaThe next church building is one of two Gothic found in Jindrichuv Hradec, also in Southern Bohemia. I only was able to visit one, the Church of St John the Baptist (Kostel Sv. Jana Křtitel). The beginnings of the church date from the mid-13th century. It isn’t the prettiest on the outside, but this is offset by its beautiful gothic interior.Photo Source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St John the Baptist, Jindrichův HradecPhoto Source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St John the Baptist, Jindrichův HradecI am including a photo of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the Mount (kostel Proměnění Páně na hoře), on the main square in Tábor, southern Bohemia, built in the 15th and 16th century. I will point out here how frequently a clock tower appears next to a church. I would also like to mention that Tábor is historically important to the Protestant Reformation as the Hussite movement operated from this city. Hint: Visiting this city is worth the time if one is visiting Bohemia.Photo Source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the Mount, on Žižkov Square, Tábor, southern BohemiaPhoto Source: Tábor interior, Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the Mount, on Žižkov Square, Tábor, southern BohemiaHere is another gothic jewel from southern Bohemia, in Soběslav, Church of St. Vitus (kostel Sv. Víta), founded in 1375. I have to admit, I am most fond of gothic church buildings. I love the elongated, tall windows and the vaulted ceilings inside.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Vitus, SoběslavDue to renovations, a peek inside was all that was available. It is a simple church, but disarmingly fetching. I secretly like this pretty church the best.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Vitus, SoběslavWe visited an early gothic church from the 13th century, Church of St. Peter and Paul ( kostel Sv. Petra a Pavla) in Soběslav as well. The church was burned by Hussites, and restored in 1485. During our visit, the sanctuary was not open to visitors due to much-needed renovations, even for a peek, but the clock tower was. We went up that in what turned out to be a terrifying climb. I have a picture of the view from above to prove that I braved hoisting myself up all those stairs.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Kostel Sv. Petra a Pavla, (Church of St. Peter and Paul), in SoběslavPhoto Source: Michele Shipley Klika view of lower Soběslav from the clock tower of St. Peter and Paul church.Photo Source: Římskokatolická farnost Soběslav – Wikipedie Church of St. Peter and Paul, in SoběslavWe also visited the Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Klokot Monastery, (kostel Nanebezvetí Panny Marie, Klokotý klášter) in Tábor, the Czech Republic. Construction took place from 1701 to 1730. Now this is a very, very pretty church building, inside and out.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Klokot monastery in TáborPhoto Source: Michele Shipley Klika. Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Klokot monastery in TáborSome restoration is in progress on the mosaic.Photo Source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Klokot monastery in TáborPhoto Source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Klokot monastery in TáborHere is an example of an early Baroque basilica, under construction from 1642-66, originally part of an Augustinian convent, Church of the birth of the Virgin Mary (kostel Narození Panny Marie), in Tábor, lower Bohemia.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the birth of the Virgin Mary, in Tábor, lower Bohemia.I always feel a rush when the church is open and I can slip in and take a quick snap. This is an example of one of those times.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the birth of the Virgin Mary, in Tábor, lower Bohemia.This late Baroque period church, Church of St. Wenceslas in Srbská Kamenice (kostel sv. Vácala v Srbské Kamenici), under construction from 1772–1776, is located in the teeny, tiny village of Srbská Kamenice (pop. 266), in a region of the Czech Republic/Czechia known as Czech Saxony Switzerland. First mention of the parish is from 1352.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Wenceslas in Srbská KamenicePhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Wenceslas in Srbská KamenicePhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika view from the vestibule, Church of St. Wenceslas in Srbská KamenicePhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Wenceslas in Srbská KameniceStone empire-style Church of St. Wenceslas the Martyr (kostel Sv. Václava, mučeníka), in Harrachov, was completed in 1828. The original structure on this site was a wooden chapel built in the early 1700s.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Wenceslas the Martyr, in Harrachov, visited August 2018Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Wenceslas the Martyr, in HarrachovGothic debutante, Church of Our Lady of the Snows (kostel Panny Marie Sněžné), Prague, is nestled in a small courtyard, near miniscule Jungmann Square. I had never noticed this church in all my years of visiting the grand city and its spectacular center. The building looked semi-small and unobtrusive from the outside.And then you step inside and your eyes go flying out of their sockets. Incredible stuff! The original building, notably larger, was mostly destroyed during the Hussite wars. The church which now stands was modified in the second half of the 17th century.Michele Shipley Klika Church of Our Lady of the Snows, PragueMichele Shipley Klika view from Jungmann square, Church of Our Lady of the Snows, PragueMichele Shipley Klika the arch and the vault, Church of Our Lady of the Snows, PragueMichele Shipley Klika the vault, Church of Our Lady of the Snows, PraguePhoto source: Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné, Church of Our Lady of the Snows, PragueThe church along with a monastery of the Carmelite order was founded in 1347 on the occasion of the coronation of Charles IV and his wife Blanche of Valois. The Carmelites were a mendicant order since 1245, which meant that they were not allowed to own any land. They therefore had no sources for building the church. Charles IV donated them a large plot, which they could partly rent, and the wood which had been used to build his coronation hall. This, along with contributions from the citizens of Prague, was enough to construct the currently visible part of the building. The construction of the church was delayed because of the problems with funds. Church of Our Lady of the Snows (Prague) - WikipediaThis pretty early Baroque Church of St. James the Greater (kostel Sv. Jakuba většího,) to the northeast of Prague, in Jičín, is quite impressive in the impressive town of Jičín. The church cornerstone was laid in 1627.Photo Source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. James the Greater, JičínSource: Michele Shipley Klika - Church of St. James the Greater, JičínA beautiful town north of Prague, Roudnice nad Labem is home to Church of the birth of the Virgin Mary (kostel Narození Panny Marie), founded in 1333 as an Augustinian convent. It is another gothic wonder, especially on the inside.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the birth of the Virgin Mary, Roudnice nad LabemPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the birth of the Virgin Mary, Roudnice nad LabemPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the birth of the Virgin Mary, view from the street, Roudnice nad labemPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of the birth of the Virgin MaryPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Christmas trees of 2018 flank the altar, Church of the birth of the Virgin Mary, photo taken early January, 2019Mělník, a short drive north of Prague, is a city where the Elbe and the Moldau/Vltava rivers meet and Gothic Church of St. Peter and Paul (kostel sv. Petra a Pavla) sits above, next to the chateau, overlooking the rivers. The church is not the prettiest on the outside but it gets high marks for the interior. The parish is first mentioned in 1172, with construction of the main presbytery beginning in 1380.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Peter and Paul, MělníkPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Peter and Paul, MělníkPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Peter and Paul, MělníkPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika (kostel sv. Petra a Pavla), Church of St. Peter and Paul, Mělník, still decorated after Christmas 2018, photo taken early January 2019Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika (kostel sv. Petra a Pavla), Church of St. Peter and Paul, Mělník, still decorated after Christmas 2018, my husband and I sit in on Mass in early January 2019.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika (kostel sv. Petra a Pavla), Church of St. Peter and Paul, Mělník, still decorated early January 2019 after ChristmasI have visited a few churches for the midnight Christmas mass or because a special speaker was going to be there. Here are a few churches from those times.The Church of St. Ludmila (kostel Sv. Ludmily) is a landmark in the small village of Tetín. It just celebrated the 1100th anniversary of Saint Ludmila in 2018. The Baroque style building dates from the 1680s.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Ludmila, TetínPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika. Church of St. Ludmila, Tetín, our choir is preparing to sing for the annual children’s Christmas service. Photo taken 24th December 2018.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika children's Christmas Eve service, December 24, 2019, Church of St. Ludmila, Tetín, - services are well attendedThis is Baroque Church of St. Vojtěch (kostel svatého Vojtěcha) construction completed 1733, in Počaply, Králův Dvůr (pop. 1000). Perched on a prominent hill, it is quite visible from the highway between Zdice and Kralův Dvůr. I love the way it looks. We visited this church in 2014 to hear a priest from India who is serving at an orphanage in Africa speak.Photo source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Vojtěch, PočaplyPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Vojtěch, PočaplyKostel sv. Vojtěcha v Počaplech je mistrovským dílem K.I.Dientzenhofera Church of St. Vojtěch, PočaplyThe Church of St. James the Greater (kostel sv. Jakuba Většího) in Beroun (pop. 19,000), looks rather daunting on the outside, but it doesn’t hold so many people on the inside, and it is COLD in the winter. I used to sing with the St. James choir for Christmas Mass, and attended a friend’s baptism on Green Thursday several years ago. The original church was founded in the 13th century but several fires in 1736 opened the way for reconstructions that led to its present baroque features.Photo Source: File:Beroun, kostel sv. Jakuba - 2.jpg Church of St. James the Greater, Beroun, view of the gothic apse and baroque clock tower from the exteriorPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika. Church of St. James the Greater, Beroun, entrancePhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika vault and view of altar and apse, Church of St. James the Greater, BerounPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika apse and altar, Church of St. James the Greater, BerounAnother Gothic beauty, Church of St. Mary Magdalene (kostel sv. Maří Magdaleny) in Sobotka, Czech Republic, is awesome in size for such a small town. An original wood structure stood on this site from the late 14th century. The present day building was completed in 1596. Its construction was financed by the Lobkowicz family. Kostel sv. Maří Magdaleny s farouPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Mary Magdalene, SobotkaPhoto source: Kostel sv. Maří Magdaleny s farou Church of St. Mary Magdalene, SobotkaPhoto source: Bohumír Fotogalerie Město Sobotka a zámek Humprecht. - Sobotka, vnitřek kostela sv. Máří Magdaleny - č. 966238 interior view, Church of St. Mary Magdalene, SobotkaPhoto source: Farnost Sobotka Mass at Church of St. Mary Magdalene, SobotkaITALYI also have visited some churches in Tuscany, Italy, getting the occasion to view the inside of at least 10 basilicas. All are extremely pretty, many dating from the early days of the Renaissance. Some are simple, some very ornate.Walled medieval city Lucca, haven for old churches, boasts 100. Lucca's 100 churches (I only saw three of them today) - ArtTravThis is the Renaissance Church of San Paolino (Santi Paolino e Donato) in that beautiful town of Lucca. The final structure was completed in the year 1515.Photo Source: Michele Shipley Klika San Paolino, Lucca, Italy, statues of Saint Paul of Antioch and DonatoPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika view of apse and altar, San Paolino, Lucca, ItalyRomanesque Church of San Michele in Foro (La chiesa di San Michele in Foro), in Lucca is a contender for prettiest on my list of pretty churches. It was built over the remains of an ancient Roman forum. First mentioned in 790, the church was rebuilt in 1070.Photo Source: Michele Shipley Klika San Michele in Foro, Lucca, ItalyPhoto Source: Michele Shipley Klika quiet and peaceful morning in San Michele in Foro, Lucca, ItalyChurch of St. Andrea (Pieve di Sant'Andrea), Pistoia, Italy, most likely dates from the 8th century, although smaller than its original size. The present structure, which serves as a baptismal, was completed in the 12th century.Photo source: Sant'Andrea a Pistoia Church of St. Andrea, Pistoia, ItalyPhoto Source: Michele Shipley Klika baptismal, Church of St. Andrea, Pistoia, ItalyWhat you see on the outside of this church building, Church of St. Ignasius of Loyola (Chiesa di Sant Ignazio di Loyola) in Pistoia does not match at all what is on the inside, which is like some of us, right? This church of the Jesuits hails from the mid 17th century.Photo Source: Chiesa di Sant Ignazio di Loyola - Picture of Chiesa di Sant Ignazio di Loyola, Pistoia - TripAdvisor Church of St Ignatius of Loyola, Pistoia, ItalyPhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Pistoia, ItalyIn Venice, there are so many basilicas and churches that one might suspect the sponsors of the construction of trying to ease a guilty conscience, considering that Christian piety is not what the city was known for in the past. I loved the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, or as it is known locally, I Gesuiti. Unfortunately my own pictures of it have disappeared, so I pulled a couple from the internet.Photo source: I Gesuiti, Venice - WikipediaPhoto source: from Chiesa dei Gesuiti, VeniceNot all basilicas are in Europe. I have been to the one in Emmitsburg, Maryland, for a wedding of a friend and for the same friend’s father’s funeral eight years later. Here is the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. I think the blue ceiling with stars is most becoming.Photo Source: Historic Church Tour #5 Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Emmitsburg, Maryland, USASource: Mount St. Mary's Chapel of the Immaculate Conception | R.S. Mowery Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Emmitsburg, Maryland, USAI also spent a fair amount of time in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel on the grounds of the former St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, while a student at UMBC. I believe this to be an extremely pretty church building, especially on the inside. It is at this church building that I first heard people singing in tongues. That was a beautiful sound.Photo source: Our Lady of the Angels Chapel by Timothy Patrick DorePhoto source: Michele Shipley Klika Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Baltimore, MarylandToday, it is host to Charlestown Retirement CommunityPhoto: Michele Shipley Klika Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Baltimore, MarylandI grew up attending a Lutheran church located in Keysville, Maryland. It is fair enough pretty and quite typical for the style of architecture of Lutheran or Methodist churches built in the early 1900s. Keysville Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1904 in a village that has a population of fewer than 100 people, though in a 5-mile radius the population increases to closer to 10,000.Photo Source: Keysville Evangelical Lutheran ChurchPhoto Source: Keysville Evangelical Lutheran ChurchSo many pretty stained-glass windows.Photo Source: Keysville Evangelical Lutheran ChurchPhoto Source: Keysville Evangelical Lutheran ChurchI have to include a very unusual church in this collection of pretty churches, the Church of Brethren in Černošice (kostel Církev bratrská / Černošice) which is about 10 years old and is located in the town of Černošice, near Prague. I have visited this church for several services. The interior walls have an interesting texture in conjunction with the surprising exterior, which is a draw for the curious.Photo Source: Církev bratrská | Černošice Church of Brethren Church, ČernošiceThe archtectural design is supposed to lend itself to a person picturing Noah’s ark.Photo Source: Církev bratrská | Černošice Church of Brethren Church, ČernošicePhoto source: Soubor:Modlitebna Církve bratrské 3.jpg – Wikipedie Church of Brethren Church, ČernošicePhoto source: Novoroční ekumenická slavnost 2019 ve sboru Církve bratrské v Černošicích Church of Brethren Church, ČernošiceAscension Episcopal of Westminster, Maryland is the church my father used to attend. I have been there for services many times. Construction begain in 1844 and the building was consecrated in May, 1846. Its stone exterior and a becoming interior including an attractive altar make it eligible for my “pretty church” nomination.Photo Source: " Directions Mistletoemart.com Ascension Episcopal Church, Westminster, MarylandPhoto Source: http://www.mistletoemart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/altar.jpg Ascension Episcopal, Westminster, MarylandI can’t leave out the church I got married in. My husband and I needed something big for all the guests as our regular church would not hold 150+ people, so we chose Baker Memorial Chapel on the campus of Western Maryland College, now called McDaniel College, in Westminster Maryland. It is a classic and pretty church building.Photo Source: Michele Shipley Klika Baker Memorial Chapel, Westminster, MarylandMichele Shipley Klika Interior, Baker Memorial ChapelWhich one do I think is the prettiest? They all have something making them worthy of prettiest. I think it is to a congregation’s credit and to God's glory that a group seeks to make its church building as attractive as possible, both inside and out.

This question is so broad that it can’t be answered in depth in an article on Quora. You would need to write a whole book on the subject in order to do it justice and answer the question in depth. That said, I will address some of the more common and obvious differences. Most likely I’ll have to post my answer here in several segments.I have some personal experience on both sides of this divide. My father was Roman Catholic and my mother was Lutheran. My brother and I were raised in her church. I have some more detailed information about my background at the end of this article.References. In my answers below I will quote official confessional documents as best as I can. Here are the books I’m using.Kolb, Robert and Timothy Wengert, eds. The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2000)United States Catholic Conference. Catechism of the Catholic Church. (New York, NY: Doubleday, 1997)I will refer to these works as [Kolb 2000] and [USCC 1997], respectively.For a few answers I will also refer to sections of the Roman Catholic Code of Canon Law as it is posted on the Vatican web site.The following differences are not in any particular order of importance. I wholeheartedly invite well-informed theologians of both traditions to correct any mistakes I may have made.Papacy. This more than anything else is what separates Roman Catholics from all other kinds of Christians. Roman Catholics believe that the Pope is the Vicar of Jesus Christ and therefore his chief lieutenant on earth. ([USCC 1997], ss. 880–883, especially s. 882) Lutherans reject this claim. See the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope. ([Kolb 2000], pp. 329–344, especially p. 330)Church Governance. The Roman Catholic Church is organized as a top-down monarchy. This is an article of faith and doctrine. ([USCC 1997], ss. 882–885) In contrast, most Lutheran churches are organized as representative democracies under written constitutions. Individual congregations make major decisions in congregational meetings. They call pastors; pastors are not assigned by the bishop. They elect delegates to the regional Synod Assemblies, who elect a regional bishop for a fixed term. The Synod Assemblies elect delegates to a Churchwide Assembly which makes major church policy, elects the Presiding Bishop, and elects the entire church’s board of directors. This is the governance model in my own church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). I have good reason to believe that most other Lutheran churches are organized and governed in a similar manner.Basis of Theology. The two traditions have substantially different philosophical and theological foundations. Roman Catholic theology is based on a combination of Scripture and Sacred Tradition ([USCC 1997], ss. 80–83). In contrast, Lutheran theology is based on the principle of “Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura”, i.e., “Through Grace Alone, by Faith Alone, on the basis of Scripture Alone”. See Formula of Concord: Epitome, Introduction ([Kolb 2000], pp. 486–487, 527).Worship Service. Both Roman Catholic and Lutheran worship services share a common model. Both services start with an entrance hymn followed by confession. This is followed by several hymns and several readings from the Old and New Testaments. The sermon (or homily) follows the Gospel reading. Then comes the offering followed by the celebration of Holy Communion (Eucharist). There are some differences in emphasis. Generally, Roman Catholic worship services place less emphasis on the homily and have much more elaborate Eucharistic Prayers. In contrast, Lutheran worship services place much more emphasis on the sermon and often have fairly short Eucharistic prayers.Liturgical Calendar. Generally, both traditions share the same set of liturgical seasons, holidays, and lesser observances. There are a few differences. In the Roman Catholic tradition January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. In the Lutheran tradition it is the Name of Jesus. In the Roman Catholic tradition, August 15 is the Assumption of Mary. In the Lutheran tradition, it is the celebration of Mary, Mother of Our Lord. In the Roman Catholic tradition, All Saints Day is always celebrated on November 1. In the Lutheran tradition, All Saints Day is usually transferred to the first Sunday in November (All Saints Sunday).There are some observances that one church has that the other does not. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Lutherans don’t observe it. The Lutheran churches celebrate Reformation Day on October 31 or transfer it to the last Sunday in October (Reformation Sunday). To date, the Roman Catholic Church doesn’t observe it. Somehow I don’t think that it will any time soon.Sacraments. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes seven (7) sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance (or Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Ordination, and Marriage ([USCC 1997], ss. 1113, 1210). The basis of this is a combination of Scripture and Sacred Tradition. In contrast, Lutheran practice recognizes only two (2) sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion (Eucharist). In Lutheran theology a sacrament needs to have three (3) properties: (1) Earthly substance, (2) Promise of God, and (3) Command of Christ. The other five (5) rites that are named as sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church lack one or more of these properties.Holy Communion - Both Kinds. In Roman Catholic practice, Holy Communion may be given in the bread only or in both the bread and wine ([USCC 1997], s. 1390). Apparently, this is at the discretion of the priest who is presiding; I’m not sure. In Lutheran practice, Holy Communion is always given in both the bread and wine (Augsburg Confession, Article 22, [Kolb 2000], pp. 60–62).Holy Communion - Availability. The Roman Catholic Church restricts the availability of Holy Communion to it own members, although there are some exceptions made for members of the Eastern Orthodox Churches ([USCC 1997], ss. 1399–1400). Lutheran practice varies between the different Lutheran churches. My church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), invites all faithful Christians to commune who are admitted to Holy Communion in their own churches. In the USA, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) generally restrict Holy Communion to their own members. I don’t know about the availability of Holy Communion in Lutheran churches in other parts of the world.Holy Communion - Interpretation. The Roman Catholic Church teaches Transubstantiation, i.e., that the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ ([USCC 1997], ss. 1373–1377, 1413). In contrast Lutheran teaching is that the bread remains bread and the wine remains wine but that Jesus Christ is truly present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine. This doctrine is called Real Presence or sometimes Consubstantiation. See Augsburg Confession, Article 10; Formula of Concord: Epitome, Article7; Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Article 7 ([Kolb 2000], pp.44, 503–508, 591–615).Marriage of Clergy. The Roman Catholic Church requires that its priests, i.e., ordained ministers, to be and remain celibate. They are not allowed to marry ([USCC 1997], ss. 1579–1580). In contrast, Lutheran teaching has always allowed its ordained ministers to marry, either before or after ordination. See Augsburg Confession, Article 23; Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article 23; Smalcald Articles, Part 3, Item 11 ([Kolb 2000], pp. 62–68, 247–257, 324).Ordination of Women. The Roman Catholic Church prohibits the ordination of women ([USCC 1997], s. 1577). Lutheran teaching and practice is divided. Some Lutheran churches, including the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) prohibit women from ordained ministry. Other Lutheran churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) welcome properly qualified women into ordained ministry. My church, the ELCA, has quite a few married couples where both spouses are ordained ministers. We have had quite a few women as regional bishops and our current Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, is a woman.Intercession of the Saints. The Roman Catholic Church practices the intercession of the saints and encourages its members to call upon the saints for help ([USCC 1997], ss. 956, 2683). In contrast, Lutheran teaching rejects this practice. See Augsburg Confession, Article 21; Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article 21; Smalcald Articles, Second Article, “Concerning the Invocation of Saints” ([Kolb 2000], pp. 58, 237–245, 305–306).Religious Orders. The Roman Catholic Church has a long tradition of religious orders and monasticism, going back to the beginning of the Christian Church. There are many thriving religious orders and new orders are created from time to time; Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity is a good example of an order that was created relatively recently. The Roman Catholic Church especially approves of these institutions ([USSC 1997], ss. 914–933). In contrast, Lutheran teaching and practice frowns upon religious orders, although there are a few Lutheran religious orders in existence. See Augsburg Confession, Article 27, “Concerning Monastic Vows”; Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article 27; Smalcald Articles, Part 2, Third Article and Part 3, Section 14, “Concerning Monastic Vows” ([Kolb 2000], pp. 80–91, 277–289, 306, 325).Required Fasting and Abstinence. The Roman Catholic Church has fasting rules that the faithful are required to observe during specified times of the year. Roman Catholics are to abstain from meat on all Fridays and on Ash Wednesday. They are to fast, i.e., eat only half of normal daily food quantity, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The abstinence rule is mandatory for anyone age 14 and up. The fasting rule is mandatory for anyone between the age of majority and age 60. Persons who are in frail health or recovering from serious injury or disease are exempted from these rules. ([USSC 1997], s. 2043; Code of Canon Law, ss. 1251–1252) In contrast, Lutheran teaching rejects any required fasting or abstinence. See Augsburg Confession, Article 26, “Concerning the Distinction among Foods”([Kolb 2000], pp.74–81). However, during Lent Lutheran pastors strongly encourage their parishioners to fast and donate the money saved to charity. The nature of the fasting and abstinence is completely up to the individual.Holy Days of Obligation. The Roman Catholic Church requires the faithful to attend worship and participate in the Eucharist on all Sundays and on all holy days of obligation that fall on days other than Sundays. Failure to do so is a grave sin unless excused for a serious reason ([USSC 1997], ss. 2177, 2180–2181, 2185, 2187–2188). The holy days of obligation are: Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas (December 25), Mary Mother of God (January 1), Epiphany (January 6), St. Joseph (March 19), Ascension (40 days after Easter Sunday), Body and Blood of Christ (Thursday after Trinity Sunday), Saints Peter and Paul (June 29), Assumption of Mary (August 15), and All Saints Day (November 1) (Code of Canon Law, ss. 1246–1248). Interestingy, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday are not on the list.In contrast, Lutheran teaching does not have the concept of a holy day of obligation. There is no obligation to attend worship on Sunday or any other particular day. However, the faithful are strongly encouraged to attend worship on those days, actively participate, and learn as much as they can about the teachings of the faith. See Large Catechism, “The Third Commandment”; Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article 10, “Ecclesiastical Practices” ([Kolb 2000], pp. 396–400, 637). In practice, the faithful attend worship on every Sunday and on major religious holidays such as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.Perpetual Virginity of Mary the Mother of Jesus. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary the mother of Jesus was a virgin her entire life, i.e., that she never had sexual relations with her husband Joseph ([USSC 1997], ss. 499–501). Thus, Jesus was an only child and the brothers and sisters mentioned in Matthew 13:55–56 and Mark 6:3 are really extended family members. In contrast, Lutheran teaching holds that there is no definite teaching of Scripture either in favor of or against the perpetual virginity of Mary. Thus, this issue is left to the individual.FWIW, I find the Roman Catholic teaching to be preposterous. No husband who is in his right mind would consent to never have sexual relations with his lawfully wedded wife. Also, the most straightforward reading of the relevant texts would be that the named brothers of James, Joseph, Simon, and Judah and the unnamed sisters are the younger siblings of Jesus. Also the wording of the text, “but he had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son” (Matthew 1:25) implies (but does not state explicitly) that Joseph did have marital relations with Mary after the birth of Jesus.My Background. Here is some background information in case you are interested.My father was always a very devout Roman Catholic to his dying day. The same was true of both of his parents, who were of Polish ancestry, as well as his three siblings. My mother was raised Lutheran by her mother who was of Swedish ancestry. Grandma Turner was very devout and was very active in her Lutheran congregation. Grandpa Turner was a C&E Methodist so he let Grandma take the lead on the religious education of their kids.Both sets of grandparents lived only 10 miles apart so when we visited them we sometimes went to Grandma Turner’s Lutheran church and sometimes went to Grandma Dedo’s Roman Catholic church.When Mom and Dad got married on Christmas Eve 1945, Mom refused to convert to Roman Catholicism and Dad would never give it up. Back in those days mixed marriages like this were extremely unusual. The religious education of the kids was left undecided and would be until my brother and I were pre-schoolers in the late 1950s. Then Dad tried to take us to his worship services but it did not work out well due to our ages. We couldn’t sit still and constantly fussed. In contrast, Mom’s Lutheran church had a well organized and well run Sunday School program starting at age 2. Eventually Dad agreed to have us raised in Mom’s church and we were baptized on October 17, 1959. I had turned 5 a few months earlier and immediately started Sunday School at English Lutheran Church in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I was confirmed there in March 1969.