Over three centuries, the height, size, and ornamentation of the spires increased. Today, church architecture is moving in the direction of pre-engineered metal structures, largely because of their cost, durability, and speedy construction. Many of these buildings do not include steeples, since they are one add-on that can be given up without affecting the quality of worship within the church building. That's not to say that all churches are giving up steeples or that steeples can't be put on pre-engineered buildings. Indeed, a pre-engineered Gothic building can be difficult to distinguish from a traditionally built structure, steeple and all.
Nothing is particularly sacred or holy about a steeple, either.
So leaving one off a new church building will not necessarily detract from the spirituality of the congregation. Still, the purpose of the church is to direct people to God. And putting a steeple on your church to direct people's eyes heavenward is one way of turning them in the right direction. Mark Enslin is a freelance writer from Taylors, South Carolina.