PaganTemples that were turned into Christian Churches Part 1

Early Christians decided to erase paganism

First-century Christians were zealous in attempting to erase paganism to promote faith in Christ.

The desire to dedicate to the Lord, which was previously utilized in what was considered an idolatrous manner, even involved church buildings and ancient temples.

There are 11 structures in Rome, which used to be pagan temples, that are now utilized as Christian churches. Some buildings were remodeled and converted, while others were demolished, and a completely new edifice was erected in their place. This list comes from an article in Forbes, written by Sarah Bond, a historian.

In researching these temples of the gods that were transformed into Christian houses of worship, only a few of the background stories actually list the name of the Roman temple that the churches derived from. We will examine six of them in this article.

1. San Bartolomeo all’Isola/Temple of Aesculapius

During the Roman Empire, the Temple of Aesculapius stood on the site of the modern church San Bartolomeo, which is named for Bartholomew who was one of Christ's 12 disciples. Emperor Otto built this church, and it was twice renovated by Pope Paschal II in 1113 and 1180.

In 1557, the church was badly damaged by a flood and restored a third time. The current interior of the church has preserved two lion supports and fourteen ancient Roman columns that date back to the earliest reconstruction of the basilica.

2. San Basilio

This structure was built by the abbot Apolemone Agreste (Apollinare Agresta), and was named for Saint Basil the Great of Caesarea. He was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor. San Basilio supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, He was a powerful Theologian and the church dedicated to him was restored in 1682, according to the inscription that is over its main entrance.

3. San Lorenzo in Miranda

San Lorenzo is a Roman Catholic minor basilica. just outside of Rome in Miranda and is named for Saint Lawrence or Laurence, who was one of the first seven Deacons martyred in 258 AD.

4. The oratory of Saints Peter and Paul (now Santa Francesca Romana).

Santa Francesca Romana ( Basilica di Santa Francesca Romana in Italian), was previously known as Santa Maria Nova. It is a Roman Catholc church, which is located next to the Roman Forum in the rione Campitella in Rome, Italy.

5. From a Roman temple to Santa Urbano alla Caffarella

Sant'Urbano allay Caffarella is an isolated 10th-century church, located in the Appio Latino quarter. This structure was converted from an ancient Roman temple in the Parco della Caffarella near the Via Appia Antica. It is believed to have been dedicated to Saint Urban, who was also a Bishop. The deity to whom the pagan temple had been dedicated is not listed.

6. Santa Maria dei Martiri

This basilica is dedicated to Christian martyrs, both known and unknown. According to a brief dated July 27, 1561, Pius IV ordered the church to be built and dedicated it to the Beatissimae Virgini et omnium Angelorum et Martyrum ("the Most Blessed Virgin and all the Angels and Martyrs").

A modern-day story indicates that these Martyrs were Christian slave laborers who had been forced to construct the Baths. This structure was also a personal monument of Pope Pius IV, whose tomb lies inside the apsidal tribune.