History Main / CreepyCathedral

* In ''VideoGame/MortalKombat3'', The Temple (aka the Kombat Temple, The Church or The Cathedral) is a fighting arena that Shao Kahn [[ShrineToSelf constructed for himself]] within his palace during his invasion of Earthrealm. It has an altar, lots of lit candles, and a stained glass window in the shape of the Mortal Kombat Dragon in the background. The arena was revamped for ''VideoGame/MortalKombatGold'' and given a darker, creepier look, and revamped again for ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9''. In the most recent version, where Noob Saibot [[{{Cameo}} (sometimes)]], the Shadow Priests, Rain, and [[EasterEgg (what appears to be)]] Meat appear [[SignificantBackgroundEvent in the background.]]

There's just one little problem. That means you actually have to go in their Church. And that place is scary as Hell itself.

''Guaranteed'' to be a Gothic cathedral, in all their pointy towers and {{Unnecessarily Large Interior}}s glory. Bonus points if it's accompanied by [[OminousPipeOrgan organ music]]-- which of course will likely be the Music/ToccataAndFugueInDMinor. Triple Word Score if it has OminousLatinChanting. May have [[NunsAreSpooky spooky nuns]], {{Sinister Minister}}s and CreepyCrosses at no extra charge. Other action scenes, especially in works aiming for a gothic vibe, might take place in an abandoned cathedral instead.

* Most ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' games hold a "Chapel" level. ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaCircleOfTheMoon Circle of the Moon]]'' had one with a giant lamb's head that spews poison, fireballs and flying skulls, while ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaCurseOfDarkness Curse of Darkness]]'' has an extra-boss living inside a mass of corpses, hidden in the church, in a room full of bodies that make the walls. (Scares and WombLevel, anyone?)

* As a SpiritualSuccessor to the aforementioned ''Castlevania'', ''VideoGame/BloodstainedRitualOfTheNight'' also features the Church of Dian Cecht, with stained glass windows, OminousPipeOrgan music and church bells everywhere.

* A secret passage that Brian Dutton follows in ''Videogame/TheSeventhGuest'' leads him and the player to a dark, demonic chapel. It has all the accoutrements of a Catholic chapel, with a {{Confessional}} booth and a pipe organ played by a skeleton. And per the game's overall strangeness, the front door is blocked off from inside.

* ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' players tend to favor these as [[SelfImposedChallenge megaprojects]], after [[EvilTowerOfOminousness Evil Towers Of Ominousness]] of course. They usually to revolve around [[HumanSacrifice offerings of blood for the blood god]], Armok.

* The Hulle Granz Cathedral from the ''[[VideoGame/DotHackGUGames .hack//G.U.]]'' games. Might not have the whole dungeon thing going, but makes up for it with sheer imposing ominousness, as well as being the home to more than a couple plot twists and epic battles through the series.

* The Chapel of Lights from ''VideoGame/SunlessSea'' is out on a distant island in [[GrimUpNorth the far north]] and heavily isolated. The residents, who stick to the shadows and are rarely seen, offer visitors food which has a chance of [[TheSecretOfLongPorkPies being people]]; there's a well on the island that will eat your dreams and wound your soul, but only if you've committed cannibalism.

* ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}:'' ''The Dark Project'' has a level where [[PlayerCharacter Garret]] must infiltrate a Hammerite cathedral at the epicenter of a disaster that ruined a district of TheCity decades ago, which has now been walled off and is infested with {{the undead}}. The [[spoiler:[[LightningBruiser Hammer Haunts]] ]] in the cathedral itself are [[DemonicSpiders especially dangerous]], and it is one of the most chilling levels in the game. The Soulforge Cathedral of the Mechanists from the second game (''VideoGame/{{Thief}} : The Metal Age'') isn't haunted, but it's still a very eerie place to be (at least during the events the mission is set in).

* Oublie Cathedral from ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'' would qualify. Most of the fighting and exposition takes place in the catacombs beneath it, though.
* Near the end of ''VideoGame/{{Observer}}'', Dan Lazarski enters such a cathedral, converted into [[spoiler: a VR Salon called "Sanctuary" on the inside. He talks to his [[BrainUploading digitized son Adam]] when entering his VR capsule, whom directs him to an even creepier hotel next door.]]

* The final level of ''VideoGame/SilentHill3'' rakes place in the cult's church, which in complete with pews, pulpit, and confessional.

* Zigzagged in ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney''. The eponymous cathedral is depicted as [[SceneryPorn extremely beautiful]] but also imposing and foreboding, especially to [[BigBad Frollo]] at the beginning where he feels he's being judged by the cathedral for killing Quasimodo's mother in front it.

* True to its gothic aesthetic, the final battle between Eric Draven, Top Dollar and his minions in ''Film/TheCrow'' also takes place in an abandoned cathedral.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' has an inverted example: when [[FaceHeelTurn Denarians]] go into churchs and places of [[LightIsGood Faith]], they have serious feelings of regret and uncertainty.

* In ''Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy'', the Lord Ruler, a [[EvilOverlord tyrannical living god]], resides in a giant, imposing, cathedral-like palace called Kredik Shaw, also known as The Hill of a Thousand Spires. Being in and around Kredik Shaw fills one with an overwhelming sense of depression.

* One nightmare on the Website/NightmareProject had a strange church with groups of bizarre believers, Templars, an animated shrine and a void that no one seems to notice.

''Guaranteed'' to be a Gothic cathedral, in all their pointy towers and {{Unnecessarily Large Interior}}s glory. Bonus points if it's accompanied by [[OminousPipeOrgan organ music]]-- which of course will likely be the Music/ToccataAndFugueInDMinor. Triple Word Score if it has OminousLatinChanting. May have [[NunsAreSpooky spooky nuns]], {{Sinister Minister}}s and CreepyCrosses at no extra charge. Other action scenes, especially in works aiming for a gothic vibe, might take place in an AbandonedCathedral instead.

''Guaranteed'' to be a Gothic cathedral, in all their pointy towers and {{Unnecessarily Large Interior}}s glory. Bonus points if it's accompanied by [[OminousPipeOrgan organ music]]-- which of course will likely be the Music/ToccataAndFugueInDMinor. Triple Word Score if it has OminousLatinChanting. May have [[NunsAreSpooky spooky nuns]], {{Sinister Minister}}s and CreepyCrosses at no extra charge. Other action scenes, especially in works aiming for a gothic vibe, might take place in an abandoned cathedral instead.

** [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight The Royal Chapel]] plays with this trope somewhat. Although it's still full of monsters and dangers, the chapel is easily the most serene area of Dracula's castle, with unsullied Christian imagery and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_4lIXJ4KwQ soft, peaceful music]].

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[[folder: Anime & Manga]]
* In the fifth episode of ''Anime/CowboyBebop'', "Ballad of Fallen Angels", Spike and Vicious have their bloody reunion in a cathedral.

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* The Ossuary of [[EldritchLocation Orqwith]] in ''Comicbook/DoomPatrol''.

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[[folder: Films - Animated]]
* Zigzagged in ''WesternAnimation/{{The Hunchback of Notre Dame|Disney}}'', where the eponymous cathedral is depicted as [[SceneryPorn extremely beautiful]] but also imposing and foreboding, especially to [[BigBad Frollo]] at the beginning where he feels he's being judged by the cathedral for killing Quasimodo's mother in front it.

[[folder: Films - Live Action]]
* [[http://batman.wikia.com/wiki/Gotham_Cathedral_%28Burton_Films%29 Gotham City Cathedral]] from Creator/TimBurton's ''Film/Batman1989'', where the Batman and the Joker [[BloodstainedGlassWindows have their final confrontation]]. Amusingly, any Catholic will tell you that Catholic churches are almost always named after a saint, and ''never'' after the city or town in which they are located (which is a Protestant tradition). Some famous cathedrals have [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_National_Cathedral widely used nicknames]].

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Podcasts]]
* ''Podcast/OnTheThreshold'' has The Cathedral of Bar Shacath, a VR environment created by a MadArtist [[BrownNote intended to inspire]] the "inversion of religious ecstasy." We don't learn much about its contents, except that the frequency of the candle flames has been precisely calibrated in a way that causes seizures in many participants, and its altar with the corpse of Jesus Christ is considered "a minor prelude to what's deeper inside".

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[[folder: Western Animation]]

* Most buildings are creepy in ''Literature/TheMonk'', but cathedrals, monasteries, and nunneries take the cake for places of of incredible terror and torture.

* ''VideoGame/{{Aquaria}}'' has the [[ThatOneLevel Mithalas Cathedral]] which takes this UpToEleven [[HailfirePeaks and combines it with]] WombLevel: it's got [[Franchise/CthulhuMythos Shoggoth-like]] monsters, MeatMoss everywhere (plus tentacles), [[SandWorm worm enemies]] coming out of the walls, mutants that look too much like Naija for comfort, and you have to [[spoiler:fight the [[ThatOneBoss Mithalan God]] turned EldritchAbomination]] at the end. Do not play this level if you are planning to get any sleep that night.

* The final sections of Brennenburg castle from ''VideoGame/AmnesiaTheDarkDescent'' are named after the parts of a cathedral (Chancel, Choir, Transept, Nave), making it fit this, though it doesn't quite ''look'' like a church.

''Guaranteed'' to be a Gothic cathedral, in all their pointy towers and {{Unnecessarily Large Interior}}s glory. Bonus points if it's accompanied by [[OminousPipeOrgan organ music]]-- which of course will likely be the Music/ToccataAndFugueInDMinor. Triple Word Score if it has OminousLatinChanting. May have [[NunsAreSpooky spooky nuns]], {{Sinister Minister}}s and CreepyCoolCrosses at no extra charge. Other action scenes, especially in works aiming for a gothic vibe, might take place in an abandoned cathedral instead.

* Zigzagged in ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'', where the eponymous cathedral is depicted as [[SceneryPorn extremely beautiful]] but also imposing and foreboding, especially to [[BigBad Frollo]] at the beginning where he feels he's being judged by the cathedral for killing Quasimodo's mother in front it.

->''"Now when we enter an old cathedral, we have scarcely a hint of the esoteric meaning of its stony symbolism. Only the general impression forces itself on our mind. We feel the exaltation of the spirit and the abasement of the flesh. The interior of the cathedral is a hollow cross, and we walk here amid the instruments of martyrdom itself. The variegated windows cast on us their red and green lights, like drops of blood and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichor ichor;]] requiems for the dead resound through the aisles; under our feet are grave-stones and decay; in harmony with the colossal pillars, the soul soars aloft, painfully tearing itself away from the body, which sinks to the ground like a cast-off garment."''

* [[http://batman.wikia.com/wiki/Gotham_Cathedral_%28Burton_Films%29 Gotham City Cathedral]] from Creator/TimBurton's ''Film/Batman1989'', where the Batman and the Joker have their final confrontation. Amusingly, any Catholic will tell you that Catholic churches are almost always named after a saint, and ''never'' after the city or town in which they are located (which is a Protestant tradition). Some famous cathedral's have [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_National_Cathedral widely used nicknames]].

* Warhammer has plenty. Pretty much every major city in the Empire has a grandiose and imposing cathedral to Sigmar -- grim fanatical warrior priests giving fiery sermons a given, and the remains witch burnings usually in evidence outside. The Great Cathedral in Altdorf is easily the biggest, and beneath it are miles of labyrinths where all manner of forbidden magical artifacts are locked away. The creepiest cathedrals have to be the ruinous ones of Sylvania though, which ratchet up the gothic horror element.

So, you're up against the CorruptChurch. You know that they're lying to the people, but no one will listen to you. It's time to take matters into your own hands, storm their base and reveal them for the [[AlwaysChaoticEvil evil bastards]] they are.

* As a SpiritualSuccessor to the aforementioned Castlevania, ''VideoGame/BloodstainedRitualOfTheNight'' also features the Church of Dian Cecht, with stained glass windows, OminousPipeOrgan music and church bells everywhere.
* ''VideoGame/{{Aquaria}}'' has the [[ThatOneLevel Mithalas Cathedral]] which takes this UpToEleven [[HailfirePeaks and combines it with]] WombLevel: it's got [[Franchise/CthulhuMythos Shoggoth-like]] monsters, MeatMoss everywhere (plus tentacles), [[SandWorm worm enemies]] coming out of the walls, mutants that look too much like Naija for comfort, and you have to [[spoiler:fight the [[ThatOneBoss Mithalan God]] turned EldritchAbomination]] at the end. Do not play this level if you are planning to get any sleep that night.

* ''VideoGame/BeneathASteelSky'' has an old, disused cathedral on the ground level. Once you get inside, you get some hint about what's going on. It's just a prelude of what you'll find later [[SinisterSubway in the subway]] though.

* The "Antares" stage in ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}} 5'' is a dimly-lit, mostly red colored cathedral. The same stage reappears in ''[[GaidenGame Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection]]'', although the creepiness is gone; it's well-lit, [[SnowMeansDeath snow pours in through a hole in the ceiling]], and the music is miles ahead of its predecessor.

* Notre Dame from ''VideoGame/TimeSplitters2'' qualifies. It's full of undead for good measure.

* In ''[[VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft World of Warcraft: Legion]]'', the Tomb of Sargeras has a 5-player dungeon called "The Cathedral of Eternal Light" at its summit. The Tomb itself looks like a creepy cathedral.

* ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' players tend to favor these as [[SelfImposedChallenge megaprojects]], after [[EvilTowerOfOminousness Evil Towers Of Ominousness]] of course. They usually to revolve around [[HumanSacrifice offerings of blood for the blood god]], Armok.

* The Hulle Granz Cathedral from the ''[[VideoGame/DotHackGUGames .hack//G.U.]]'' games. Might not have the whole dungeon thing going, but makes up for it with sheer imposing ominousness, as well as being the home to more than a couple plot twists and epic battles through the series.

* ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia'' had the Cathedral of Fenrir. With, for bonus points, an organ BGM named "Perverse Religion".
* The BigBad of ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 1}}'' resided under a Cathedral in the ruins of Los Angeles. The basement levels are especially creepy.
* Creepy Steeple from ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor''.

* The Cathedral Ward from ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'' is the place for conducting blood transfusion by the [[ReligionOfEvil Healing Church]].
* The Chapel of Lights from ''VideoGame/SunlessSea'' is out on a distant island in [[GrimUpNorth the far north]] and heavily isolated. The residents, who stick to the shadows and are rarely seen, offer visitors food which has a chance of [[TheSecretOfLongPorkPies being people]]; there's a well on the island that will eat your dreams and wound your soul, but only if you've committed cannibalism.

* Oublie Cathedral from ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'' would qualify. Most of the fighting and exposition takes place in the catacombs beneath it, though.
* The final level of ''VideoGame/SilentHill3'' rakes place in the cult's church, which in complete with pews, pulpit, and confessional.

* Creator/PoulAnderson: In ''Literature/OperationChaos'', the cathedral and surrounding town of Siloam are extra creepy, including nonstop chanting of Barbarous Names.
* Most buildings are creepy in ''Literature/TheMonk'', but cathedrals, monasteries, and nunneries take the cake for places of of incredible terror and torture.

* Warhammer has plenty. Pretty much every major city in the Empire has a grandiose and imposing cathedral to Sigmar - grim fanatical warrior priests giving fiery sermons a given, and the remains witch burnings usually in evidence outside. The Great Cathedral in Altdorf is easily the biggest, and beneath it are miles of labyrinths where all manner of forbidden magical artifacts are locked away. The creepiest cathedrals have to be the ruinous ones of Sylvania though, which ratchet up the gothic horror element.

** Moving up from Imperial gothic-creepiness into full-on splatterpunk horror, temples to Chaos - the work of the Word Bearers, generally - are typically forged from human bodies (either by using blood to mortar the stones or literally by building the entire structure out of human bits), full of editions of the ''Book of Lorgar'' written on the skin of slain Imperial priests, and materials that don't usually exist in normal spacetime, and bear such cheery features as sacrificial altars, torture chambers, constantly shifting runes that hurt the eyes to look upon, and the like.

* ''Webcomic/SilentHillPromise'': St. Stella Church

* Pops up in the Franchise/ResidentEvil series
** Actually [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis'' where the church in the clocktower is a saferoom
** Ashley is held in one of these in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4''

* The Driftwood Cathedral in ''Fanfic/{{Obscuro}}''.

* Zigzagged in ''Disney/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'', where the eponymous cathedral is depicted as [[SceneryPorn extremely beautiful]] but also imposing and foreboding, especially to [[BigBad Frollo]] at the beginning where he feels he's being judged by the cathedral for killing Quasimodo's mother in front it.

* Zig-zagged by Notre Dame in ''Disney/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame''; it's not consistently creepy as it's often beautiful and is home to most of the film but is also scary in the opening scene. Lightning illuminates the eyes of the statues so they appear to look angry at Frollo, giving him a guilty conscience over trying to kill Quasimodo. (While the creepiness in this case [[CreepyGood saves someone's life,]] it's still one of the many scary and dark moments in the film.)

[[folder: Fanfiction]]

* The Cathedral is a massive....well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin cathedral]] that functions as TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon of [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI Shin Megami Tensei I]]. Interestingly, where you go to fight the FinalBoss depends on your route: If you're in the Law Route, you fight that route's final boss in the depths of the Cathedral, while in the Chaos route you fight the final boss at the highest floor. In the Neutral Route, [[PathOfMostResistance you fight both in whichever order you want.]]

* The Cathedral is a massive....well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin cathedral]] that functions as TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon of [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI Shin Megami Tensei I]].