Early Christian Art and Architecture: An Introduction - Paperbackby Guntram Koch (Author) The early Christian period, especially the time between the third and sixth centuries, is one of the most fascinating in church history. The Christianity which developed into a state church in the Roman empire during the fourth century gave new content to traditional Graeco Roman art and adapted it to changed needs. Different forms of churches, monasteries and baptisms came into being, as did Christian art in paintings,