Spires and steeples

The spires of Uppsala cathedral in Sweden.

Wiki:

A spire is a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, particularly a church tower. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Old English word spir, meaning a sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass.

Symbolically, spires have two functions. The first is to proclaim a martial power. A spire, with its reminiscence of the spear point, gives the impression of strength. The second is to reach up toward the skies. The celestial and hopeful gesture of the spire is one reason for its association with religious buildings.[citation needed] A spire on a church or cathedral is not just a symbol of piety, but is often seen as a symbol of the wealth and prestige of the order, or patron who commissioned the building.

As an architectural ornament, spires are most consistently found on Christian churches, where they replace the steeple. Although any denomination may choose to use a spire instead of a steeple, the lack of a cross on the structure is more common in Roman Catholic and other pre-Reformation churches. The battlements of cathedrals featured multiple spires in the Gothic style (in imitation of the secular military fortress).

Currently, the largest spire to be part of the architecture of another building is the spire mounted on the recently completed Q1 residential tower on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Spires are also common and notable as solo structure, in the way that obelisks are used. In the Modernist movements of the 20th century, office towers in the form of free-standing spires also began to be built. Some famous buildings, such as the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, use the spire as a testimony of civic power and hope; in the case of this example, it is also a reference to Seattle's participation in aerospace. A 1,776-foot (541-m) "Freedom Tower" is a projected feature of the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, and is to be topped by a spire.

Gothic spires. The 108-metre tall spires of Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral tower above the city.

The Gothic spire of Antwerp cathedral.

The Gothic spire of Ulm cathedral.

The spire of Salisbury Cathedral, England- 123 metres tall.

Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's Grounds- John Constable.

1st Edition cover.

Wiki:

The Spire is a 1964 novel by the English author William Golding. "A dark and powerful portrait of one man's will", it deals with the construction of the 404-foot high spire of Salisbury Cathedral; the vision of the fictional Dean Jocelin. In this novel, William Golding utilizes stream of consciousness writing with an omniscient narrator.

The steeple of the Emmanual church of Boston.

San Agustin, Laredo, Texas.

The steeple of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore, designed by Charles Alexander Dyce.

The steeple of Celebration Church, Kingston, New York lit from inside.

The steeple of Celebration Church in Kingston, New York before completion in July of 2004 during the day.

Norwich cathedral, Norfolk, England.

Cavan cathedral of saints Patrick and Felim, Ireland.

Mainz cathedral, Germany.

The crown steeple of St Giles' cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Felix

If you're reading this, could you please re-post your photo of the crooked steeple? I'm afraid I don't remember the specific details.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdIYPjak9H0
Here's the church, here's the steeple, open the doors...