Some are walking distance from downtown!
Located in San Francisco, the church is also known locally as Saint Mary's Cathedral. Completed in 1971, it had its first Papal Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in 1987.
A modern jewel in the Tor Tre Teste district in Rome, the Church of God the Merciful Father is the creation of American architect Richard Meier. It was completed in 2003.
This modern concrete and metal church is part of the Church of Norway in Tromsø. Built as a long church in 1965, it seats about 600 people. It's also known as Tromsdalen Church.
A small chapel built in 2009, the Santa Ana Chapel can be found in a village outside of Porto, Portugal. Built with concrete, it has the capacity for 30 people.
Inaugurated in 2002, this chapel is located in the Hammarby sjöstad neighborhood in Stockholm, Sweden. Made mainly of glass, it's a three-story building.
Designed by Finnish-American architects Eliel Saarinen and Eero Saarinen in 1948, this Minneapolis church is an architectural gem.
Located in England, the Coventry Cathedral is connected to the 14th-century ruins of the Cathedral Church of Saint Michael. The modern structure was built between 1956 and 1962.
This impressive, reflective glass church seats 2,248 people. Located in Garden Grove, California, the church was regarded as the largest glass building in the world when it was completed in 1981. It's also known as Christ Cathedral.
Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 244 feet (74.5 m), it's one of the tallest structures in the country.
Located in Helsinki, Finland, this structure opened in 2012 is also known as the Chapel of Silence since it's intended to be a place to calm down in one of the busiest areas in the country.
A glass triangular structure, floating in the water, the Infinity Chapel is one of Bali's most famous chapels. Designed in a modern and minimalist style, it certainly is a unique wedding venue.
A rare example of expressionist church architecture, the Grundtvig's Church is one of the best-known churches in Copenhagen. Inaugurated in 1940, it sits up to 1,440 people.
From grand cathedrals to humble roadside buildings, church architecture has always been a field for artistic expression and innovation. And while churches have existed for thousands of years, it doesn't mean that new takes on them can’t continue to amaze. From Reykjavík to Bali, there are many incredible churches that embrace modern architecture.
Want to check out some of these holy architectural gems? Then click through this gallery.
Locally nicknamed the Paddy's Wigwam, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral was designed by English architect Frederick Gibberd, who was the winner of a worldwide design competition. Construction began in 1962 and was complete in 1967.
Designed by famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the cathedral is located in the Brazilian capital, Brasília. Completed in 1970, the structure is constructed from 16 concrete columns, weighing 90 tons each.
Probably one of the most unusual churches out there, Pauluskerk is a futuristic building by Dutch architect Will Alsop. Completed in 2013, this church can be found in Rotterdam.
Completed in 1964 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the North Christian Church can be found in Columbus, Indiana. The building is shaped like a hexagon, with a central metal spire that is 192 feet (59 meters) high.
Completed in 1943, the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is was designed by the aforementioned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in the organic modern style. Located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the church is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Designed German architect Gottfried Böhm in 1963, the Pilgrimage Church is located in Neviges, Germany, and is famous for its use of concrete.
Completed in 2015, Kericho Cathedral is located in Kenya, southwest of Nairobi. With 1,500 seats, the church has a design of an inclined roof and an ascending interior volume.
Located in Tokyo, Japan, St. Mary's Cathedral was designed by Japanese architect Kenzō Tange, and was inaugurated in 1964. His funeral was held there in 2005.
Inaugurated in 2006, Santo Volto Church is one of the most modern churches in Turin, Italy. It was designed by Italian architect Mario Botta.
Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the Cardboard Cathedral, formally called the Transitional Cathedral, is an astonishing structure located in Christchurch, New Zealand. A simple A-frame structure composed of paper tubes and containers, the design is truly one of a kind.
Built from 1954 to 1956 into the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross was designed by August K. Strotz.
Designed by Michel Andrault and Pierre Parat, Madonnina delle Lacrime is a Roman Catholic Marian church in Siracusa, Sicily. Construction began in 1966, but it was only complete in 1994.
The Light of Christ's Salvation Church was designed by Taiwanese architecture firm Ambi Studio and inspired by Noah’s Ark upon the mountain. This modern church can be found in Taichung, Taiwan.
San Giovanni Battista is a church near Florence, Italy, within a large freeway rest area. Built between 1960 and 1963, the design is meant to reflect both modern and traditional church design.
Located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Thorncrown Chapel was constructed using organic materials indigenous to the region. Designed by American architect E. Fay Jones, it was constructed in 1980.
Sources: (Condé Nast Traveller) (RTF) (Matador Network)
See also: Beautiful Islamic architecture from around the world
Completed in 1962, the chapel is located near Colorado Springs. Originally a controversial design, it has now become a highly regarded example of modernist architecture.
Built in 2000, the National Shrine ofOour Lady of La Salette is built in a series of metal and masonry columns with massive windows. It is situated in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Stunning modern church architecture around the world
Take a look at these impressive modern churches
TRAVEL Structures
From grand cathedrals to humble roadside buildings, church architecture has always been a field for artistic expression and innovation. And while churches have existed for thousands of years, it doesn't mean that new takes on them can’t continue to amaze. From Reykjavík to Bali, there are many incredible churches that embrace modern architecture.
Want to check out some of these holy architectural gems? Then click through this gallery.