I have no doubt in my mind that this church, made entirely out of living trees, is unlike anything you've ever seen before. This inspiring structure was created by Barry Cox, combining the two things he loves most - trees and church. As a result, he created a masterpiece, so beautiful, you'll have to travel all the way to New Zealand to see it. |
Prior to creating this structure, he traveled throughout Europe and the Americas, studying churches - large and small, old and new. Upon heading back to New Zealand, he started 'Treelocations', a tree moving business that allows trees to be moved, roots and all, to a new location. He's even taken to re-homing trees on his own property, that would have otherwise been cut down. |
Once his Treelocations business was established, he began working on his next project - this church. The idea came to him out of the blue back in 2011. 'I walked out my back door one day and thought, 'that space needs a church' - and so it began,' he says. He built an iron frame and based his design on the churches he'd spent so many years studying. |
|
The walls of the church are of an Australian tea tree variety, with thick, lush foliage. To keep them in shape, Cox trims them every six weeks. The roof is made from cut-leaf alder - a deciduous tree that's flexible enough to be trained up along the iron frame. The foliage in these trees is sparse, which allows light inside. Inside, the church just contains pews and a marble altar, which he got from his family church in Shannon (where he grew up). On the outside, the structure is filled with hedges and flowers. |
Initially, the church was planned for Cox's own enjoyment. But, seeing that many of his friends and family were so curious to see it, he opened the Tree Church to the public at the beginning of this year. His nephew was the first to marry in it and soon, other couples followed suit - including couples who were not religious. |
See some incredible views of the living, breathing church here: |
For more information about the Tree Church and to view more images, click here. And to learn more about moving trees, check out Treelocation's Youtube Channel. |
H/T: viralnova.com |
This Self-Cooling Building Was Inspired By Termites
How do you cool a building without air conditioning? By mimicking termites…
These 15 Sky Scraping Tree-Houses Are Every Child's Dream
Imagine being woken by the birdsong on these lovely forests. That experience is felt every day by the owners of these 15 tree houses.
These 20 Cute Bonsai Are a Cut Above the Average Tree
Trust the Japanese to have the most beautiful miniature trees in the world. These 20 bonsai's are so fabulous!
20 Old Buildings That Were Repurposed Quite Creatively
Check out these cool pictures of some old buildings that have now been completely transformed.
Are These the Most Beautiful Streets in the World?
There's something so charming and beautiful about these streets that are surrounded by trees. Take a look at these stunning streets.
12 Gorgeous Churches That Reveal France's Beautiful Past
France's rich culture is not built on food, shopping or fashion, but centuries of Christian worship. These 12 magnificent churches remind us of France's gifts.
This Cat Has Broken the Record for the Loudest Purr!
This Cat Has Purred Her Way Into the Record Books!
100 Years of Change: How Old London Compares With the New
The earliest recorded video of London was more than a century ago. Compare it to London today!
Check Out These Rare and Fascinating Antonyms!
Here are a few rare but fascinating antonyms we wish people used more often.
Rare Celebrity Pics from the '90s You Haven't Seen Before
These celebrity photos from the 1990s will make you nostalgic.
The MOST Shocking False Etymologies in English
If a word's history sounds too good, it probably is.
How Many of These Facts About Common Items Do You Know?
Do you know about these facts for common products?
Ten Reasons Why Japan's Schools Are Spectacular
How is it Japan is so special? Perhaps it is all down to their unique education system. Here are 10 amazing things about Japan's schools you never knew!
Mark Twain's Tips For a Better Kind of Life...
Mark Twain was not only a talented writer but a man of wise, witty words. Here are 12 of his best quotes.
Find Out How to Live Happier & Healthier With These Hacks
Discover how small hacks can help you change your life for the better. Here are 15 of them.
Ancient Technologies That Remain a Complete Mystery
Scientists may have solved the mystery of Egyptian pyramids, but there are still so many findings that are left completely unexplained
Watch This Couple Go Through 60 Years of Aging...
This young couple found out with some magical help from talented makeup artists. The results are remarkable, and the ending filled my eyes with tears.
These 10 Invaluable World Treasures Were Never Recovered
All 10 of these valuable treasures have a mysterious fate, as they were all stolen or lost not so long ago and never recovered
18 Films That Remind Us How Brutal Winter Can Be
Winter isn’t as cozy as you might think. These cold-weather survival movies will make you long for summer days.
The Many Calendars of the Modern World - Fascinating!
This video reviews some of the most common calendars in the modern world.
25 Old Photos That Show How Different the World Used To Be
Check out this amazing collection of vintage pictures that show us how much the world around us has changed.
7 Historical Facts That Aren't Actually True
Here are seven well-known history facts we should have never believed.
15 Unique and Powerful Armors Worn by Heroes and Warriors
Here’s a treat for history buffs! Check out the most amazing types of armor throughout history.
How Companies Deceive Us All - 20 Pictures
As these 20 pictures prove, companies are constantly lying about the size and the quality of their products through deceptive packaging!
10 Incredible People You Never Heard Of!
Here are 10 people who have, in their own ways, saved countless lives and at times, the entire planet. They deserve to be known.
If You Like History You Will LOVE This Incredible Video!
Seeing history move right before our eyes teaches us so much about the last 2000 years!
This Soulful Cello Performance Will Give You Goosebumps
Sit back and enjoy this amazing cello performance
The True Scale of These Things Will Really Surprise You!
Did you know that there are actually a lot of things in our world that are far bigger in reality than most people would expect. Here of 20 of them.
Unseen & Rare Photos from History You Will Love
We bet you haven’t seen these amazing historical photos before.
Of the Transformative Power of Classical Music...
A fascinating TED talk by Benjamin Zander.
She Will Never Forget Her Marriage Proposal. Ever.
This is a Marriage Proposal For the Books...
How 10 Ordinary English Idioms and Phrases Began...
Many English phrases and idioms have fascinating histories behind them, here is a selection of 10 astounding examples.
When it Comes to Inventive Solutions, These Guys Are Top!
We all face different issues every day and our solutions to these minor problems vary widely...
Romeo & Juliet Ballet: A Timeless Tale of Love and Tragedy
Watch the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in a captivating ballet duet.
15 Surprising Facts that Are Super Interesting
These surprising historical facts will supply a meaty meal for anecdote and history lovers alike. It's so much fun to learn those small details about days gone by.
13 Fascinating Facts About International Intercourse!
These facts will shed a fascinating light on intercourse in the world.
22 Facts That Will Change What You Think You Know
From Facebook to Winston Churchill, these 22 surprising facts are very interesting.
The Most Insightful Quotes From the Mind of Albert Einstein
Allow me to share some of the insightful quotes that came out of Albert Einstein's head
25 Incredible Facts About the Famous Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan struck fear into the hearts of his subjects during his reign, but there's a lot more to the man than meets the eye. Here are 25 intriguing facts.
These Tips Will Help You Start Reading Again
Reading skills not as strong as they were in the days of yore? Here are my tried-and-true tips to help you get back on the reading horse.
Juggling Legend Kris Kremo Will Leave You in Awe
Get ready to be thrilled by juggling legend Kris Kremo’s captivating performance.
These Collections Are Certainly On the More Unusual Side..
These collections are larger and a little more unusual than a run-of-the-mill stamp collection. Take a look.
I've Never Heard This Amazing Tale From the 2nd World War
This is going to be one of the most amazing stories you've ever heard. I guarantee it.
Enter Buster Keaton: The Founding Father of Visual Comedy
Discover more about the founding father of visual cinema, Buster Keaton.
You'd Never See THIS in a Modern Home
In this video, we'll visit some old homes and learn about their obsolete features.
These Specialized Tools Have the Most Unique Uses
These specialized tools have the most unusual uses.
I Can’t Get Over These Astonishing Magic Tricks!
Enjoy this magical compilation of astonishing performances by illusionist Darcy Oake.