It is a common misconception that "cathedral" may be applied to any particularly large or grand church. Whilst many cathedrals may be such, this is due to their ecclesiastical status. Such a church is usually grand because it is a cathedral, rather than it being designated a cathedral because of its grandeur. A cathedral may in fact be a relatively small building, particularly in sparser or poorer communities. Modern cathedrals frequently lack the grandeur of those of former times, having more focus on the functional aspects of a place of worship.