The church at Kingsbridge is a potent symbol of the past, particularly the original builders of the structure and the church as an institution during the founding of the church. As Merthin discovers later in the novel, the foundation upon which the church was built is not enough to support the many additions made in the design later. As a result, the church suffers a series of collapses over the course of the novel. These structural faults symbolize the weaknesses and hypocrisy of the priors and monks within the church.

The initial collapse occurs under the leadership of Prior Anthony and is a symbol of how his passivity leaves the church vulnerable to more assertive people like Godwyn. Godwyn’s skimping on repair costs and use of contracts for the repairs to manipulate the town and Merthin show that he is so corrupt that he pursues his own interests over that of the church and the people the church is designed to serve.

During the waves of the plague, the church is packed with people, likely making the church a source of the spread of the infection. People like Caris are aware of this possibility, but Godwyn and other church officials insist that a turn to God will save the townspeople.