Notes on Art Criticism
ISSN 2226-2180
Article Volume 26, No. 1, 2026

Metaphorical structure of the interior space in modern Protestant churches in Ukraine

Ivan Hutsul
Received 20.02.2026 Revised 25.05.2026 Accepted 22.06.2026 Published 29.06.2026 Pages 55–69 1 View

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the distinctive features of the symbolic and metaphorical design of the interior spaces of Protestant churches in Ukraine in their contemporary context. The research methodology combined art-historical analysis with a comparative study of six Protestant churches in Ukraine (the “Bethel” Evangelical Christian Church in Chernivtsi, the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Odesa, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Uman, the “Golgotha” Evangelical Christian Baptist Church in Kramatorsk, the “Golgotha” House of Prayer of the Evangelical Christians-Baptists in Lviv, and the Reformed Church in the village of Derzen, Zakarpattia region), a structural-functional approach to assessing the organisation of interior space, and an analysis of restoration and reconstruction practices in historic buildings. Art-historical analysis has shown that the interior space of Protestant churches in Ukraine is organised around a central worship area, where the pulpit or ambo serves as a key compositional element, ensuring the congregation’s visual and acoustic focus on the sermon; the lighting design emphasises the geometry of the interior, with light colours and natural materials combined with minimalist décor, which aids concentration on spiritual content, whilst the layout takes into account ritual and communication needs, demonstrating functionality, symbolism and aesthetics. A comparative analysis has shown that modern churches in Ukraine are characterised by an open-plan layout, the use of modern building materials and a combination of natural and artificial lighting, which encourages community participation and makes worship more interactive, whereas historic buildings combine classical architecture with minimalist decoration, demonstrating flexibility and acoustic adaptability, whilst traditional symbols are integrated with functional elements in accordance with denominational identity and architectural traditions. The results obtained can be used by architects, art historians and researchers of religious culture for the design and restoration of Protestant churches, as well as by educators and cultural managers for organising educational and social events, considering spatial symbolism and denominational specifics

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Keywords

house of prayer; visual culture; sacred architecture; restoration practices; perception of sacred interiors

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Hutsul, I. (2026). Metaphorical structure of the interior space in modern Protestant churches in Ukraine. Notes on Art Criticism, 26(1), 55-69. https://doi.org/10.63009/noac/1.2026.05

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