Since the 8th Century churches have tended to be built facing towards the east. ... All of the cathedrals shown above (apart from Liverpool) have been built (roughly) facing east, with the apse on most of them also to the east of the building. When early Christians prayed they would face towards the east.

Which way do cathedrals face?

The orientation of Christian churches reflects the historically documented concepts that one should turn eastward to pray and the architectural and liturgical principle that temples and churches should be constructed facing east (often specified as equinoctial east).

Do churches face east?

For those who do not have the time to immerse themselves… the answer is yes, churches do face east , but not perfectly and the discrepancy varies with location. ... It is quite possible that all but the earliest extant churches were aligned and built with the help of a compass.