Brief History of the Catholic Church

It is widely believed that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ himself, as it is one of the oldest and largest sects of Christianity. From its nativity in the Holy Land to its cultivation in the Roman Empire and into the 21st century, the church carries with it a rich and diverse history.

Beginnings of the Catholic Church

As the New Testament holds, the apostle Peter was informed by Jesus that he was the rock upon which the church was to be built. This assertion is the cornerstone of the Catholic faith, as Peter was considered the first pope-figure in the church's history.

Constantine and the Roman Empire

In the 4th Century, the pagan emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome, and Rome later become the home of the Vatican, the center of the Catholic church.

The Middle Ages

With the spread of the Roman Empire, came the spread of early Catholic doctrine to most of Europe. During this time, church and state were inseparable, and much of the knowledge and power cultivated during the era lay in the hands of learned clergy. Most literature was written in Latin, which only the clergy could read, and many monks were given the task of copying and preserving literature.

The Renaissance and after

In the Renaissance, the Catholic church was at the peak of its power, and many beautiful cathedrals sprung up across Europe. Even after the rise of Lutheranism and Protestantism at large, the Church continued to draw new membership in the New World, in such places as Mexico and South America.

In spite of and perhaps because of all that it has endured during its illustrious history, the Catholic church is very much a popular denomination of Christianity to this day.