Comments on: Why many church doors are red:

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:49:18 +0000

You did a great job on this web site. Thanks for your research and for sharing. It was enjoyable and gives answers to a discussion aroung the lunch table at work about this very subject. The office attended a memorial service at an Episcopal Church of the Ascension and the memorial booklet had a picture of the church with a red door, which stood out on an otherwise black & white line drawing picture. I said that I knew this church was paid for and was asked how I knew. Unfortunately I couldn’t remember where I had heard that a red door symbolizes a paid mortgage. (It must have been my Lutheran pastor – now deceased.) Your web site clarifies what I said and much more. The discussion around the lunch table will continue with much more information – Thanks to you.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:17:25 +0000

Great post. Thanks for the info and beautiful collection of photographs.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:29:15 +0000

I was under the impression that it sybolized “to keep the devil out”

By: Peter Zgura

Peter Zgura — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:04:47 +0000

Someone indicated that ‘red church doors’ originated with the Catholic Church… I find this not to be the case in modern times and doubt that it started there. A simple tour about the city will reveal that little or no Roman churches have red doors. I was christened a Catholic but very early on began attending a United Brethren Church (red doors) which was absorbed by the Evangelical Church (red doors) and became the EUB (Evangelical United Brethren…red doors). They were finally gobbled up by the Methodist Church (red doors) and became the United Methodist Church (red doors). Of course, through the years, I asked “Hey! What’s up with the red doors?” and all of the Pastor’s had the same reply… It symbolizes the Blood of Christ who shed his blood to save the world… and by extension, I think, could be interpreted that the people who enter them are saved or have “sanctuary”. Also this is the term for the room beyond those doors… the Sanctuary.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:55:27 +0000

your churches are vary welcoming!!!

By: Sue Morgan

Sue Morgan — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:14:04 +0000

I am fascinated with these red doors on Episcopal churches here in Colorado. Unfortunately my own church in Loveland, CO has glass doors….reading allthe info about the history of red doors, I wish we could have red doors too. I am going to put all this info together for anyone in my church who might like to read up on the history of our red doors.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:43:33 +0000

from most of my research I have found it to have become popularized my the Catholic church to signify the blood of Christ and Martyrs. It is said to protect the sanctuary behind the red door from all evil.

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:33:17 +0000

Karen – I really don’t think so, as church doors have been red for a very very long time. The Episcopal church I attended growing up, All Saint’s in Frederick, MD, was built in like 1750 or something and always had a red door, as far as I know…this was long long before debates over ordained ministers and their sexuality. At the very least, the church door at All Saint’s has been red for the past 22 years, and the debate over gay ministers began only a few short years ago.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:26:11 +0000

Thank you for asking (and answering) this question. I noticed quite a few red Church doors as I traveled in the border states a couple of years ago, mostly Anglican or Episcopal churches. Had never seen so many red church doors. Thought it might have to do with the Anglican Schism over the elevation of gay priests to Bishop. (Indicating which camp they fell into).