Construction

The order's first churches reflected the friars' modest role as new religious in the neighbourhood. As they increased in number, stature and reputation, the friars attracted large numbers to their churches. In some instances, there were three successive churches on a single site, culminating in a vast expansive structure. By the beginning of the fourteenth century the classical mendicant churches were under construction throughout western Europe, especially in the more substantial cities. The completion of the church might take a considerable length of time, sixty years or more. The solemn ceremony of dedication marked the end of the building phase.

The link between the friars' preaching and the enlargement of their churches was made explicit by Albertanus of Brescia in the middle of the thirteenth century. The large nave was the distinctive mark of mendicant architecture, which was designed to maximise space for those attending sermons. The liturgy of the Word went hand in hand with eucharistic piety and at least six altars flanked the high altar of these churches. At a later date side altars appeared in the nave. Contrasting the size of the friars' churches with the parish churches, William Woodford pointed out that the former generally had ten or twelve altars and the latter had two or three.