Product Description
The grandeur of St. Peter's, the Baroque ecstasy of the churches at Cholula in Mexico, the intimate peace of Fairford Church in Gloucestershire...

The two thousand years' heritage of Christian churches is a fascinating one. For anyone interested in the evolution of architectural styles, the subject is of inescapable interest. For a far wider group of people, however, it is clear that churches are much more than architectural monuments. Through their rich historical associations and special emotional quality that is largely denied to secular buildings, they exert a power that crosses national boundaries and even beliefs.

Edward Norman sees churches as both acts of faith and works of art. The clarity, knowledge, and insight of his chronological survey are supported and enhanced by a brilliantly researched collection of illustrations. The result is a perfect mix between the most-loved master buildings such as Hagia Sophia and the freshness of the less familiar—a mission church in Paraguay or a Baroque shrine in Goa.

Whether coming from the Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant traditions, whether drawn to the sublimity of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris or the simplicity of a Puritan chapel, Christians everywhere will respond to Norman's celebration of churches. 387 illustrations, 80 in color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good history and architecture combined
I collect books on church architecture and most of them are nice books filled with pictures and usually a brief comment on the photos. This one surpassed my expectations by also giving an excellent history of the church related to the evolving styles of church architecture. Well done!
... Read more

Product Description
This unique book delves into the deep meanings of liturgical art and architecture, and by association, the Sacred Liturgy itself. It is meant to help pastors, architects, artists, members of building committees, seminarians, and everyone interested in liturgical art and architecture come to grips with the many competing themes which are at work in church buildings today. The object of Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy is help the reader to drink deeply from the wells of the tradition, to look with fresh eyes at things thought to be outdated or meaningless, and glean the principles which underlie the richness of the Catholic faith.

• Part one presents an emerging area of study: Architectural Theology
• Part two introduces the readers for the first time to the scriptural foundations of church architecture
• Part three focuses on the classical tradition of architecture
• Part four examines iconography as eschatological and
• Part five concludes with a discussion of the Twentieth Century and where we are now in the Age of the Church.

Winner of two Catholic Press Association awards:
Design and Production, Second Place
History, Second Place ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Order out of Chaos
Our parish is in the midst of evaluating the worship space we have now. The unspoken pain of many of our parishioners in the current architecture has been given a voice through this process and this book has been a powerful starting point for study. It eloquently expresses what so many Catholics know from their interior but have a hard time expressing - that "my church doesn't look like a church".

I believe this book will serve as a starting place for the emerging discussion on what went wrong with architecture following the Second Vatican Council. While the book is scholarly, it is approachable to the interested lay person. Difficult terms are bolded and defined on the page that they appear. Vivid and clear examples are given in pictures and photos in each chapter, and the reader comes away with a strong sense of "what went wrong" and where to go from here.

The reader will first be taught that beauty is not 'in the eye of the beholder" and therefore Catholics are not lost to the whims of modern liturgists and architects. "An object is beautiful when it most clearly and fully reveals its ontological reality, the very reality of its being as understood in the mind of God." A church that looks like a meeting house or factory is not beautiful for this reason - it doesn't look like a church.

The text then moves to the scriptural foundations of architecture laying a path for "theological architecture" beginning in ancient Israel (shadow) to the New Testament (living stones) to today, the Church as a vision of heaven (does your Church look like a vision of heaven or chaos or emptiness?).

Part III covers the classical tradition in decoration, ornament, and columns - their meaning, and their use to express an elevation to a heavenly reality.

Part IV covers iconography and the eschatological reality and nature of the church building. The author masterfully discusses the ability of the artist to bring into physical form a 'flash' of the reality of heaven and what went wrong in modern architecture.

Part V is a study of the 20th century, the history of architecture and the liturgical movement, Mediator Dei, the Second Vatican Council (and what it actually said as opposed to the "Spirit" of the council), the hermeneutics of discontinuity employed for modern ugly church architecture, and finally, where we can go from here.

I highly recommend this book for anyone confused to why so many churches are "ugly as sin" (the title of another great book), and want to speak intelligently to their pastors, bishops, building committees, and worship commissions. It should be required reading for all students of theology, religious education, and required reading in seminaries.

This is the only book on Catholic Church architecture I would give a full 5 stars. It is well worth the price.

The Good, the Grand or the Ugly
I'm not writing this for artists, architects, pastors, seminary students, designers, liturgists, contractors, or professors. "Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy," should simply be their required reading for its expertise, theology and inspiration.
The author, architectural historian Denis McNamara, is assistant director and faculty member at the Liturgical Institute of the University of St. Mary of the
Lake/Mundelein Seminary near Chicago.
This review is for today's voiceless parishioners who, without the kind of information in this book, have no constructive opinion as to what their church building's interior renovation or new construction will ultimately look like.
North, South, East and West from Holy Name Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Chicago, there are some of the most awesome churches in Christendom. Most were built in a different era, when, as author McNamara says, the church building was "a sacrament of the city of heaven."If one of these is your house of worship, thank God, and read this book to better appreciate what you have. (In fact, McNamara's first book, "Heavenly City," showcased Chicago's outstanding houses of God.)
If your Sunday Eucharist is offered in a "Disneyland gothic," or glorified gymnasium, read this book to be better informed on what you're missing.
Granted, no matter how mundane the parish place of worship may be, it is filled with happy and sentimental memories. It is filled with loving neighbors, as well as the ghosts of those who went before -- those who cooked the chicken dinners that built those walls in our founding pastor's price range.
"Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy," is a book to curl up IN. You'll savor its 225 pages and 425 stunning photographs if you're into the topic. It expresses a school of thought and a consolation, that the "something" missing in so much of our world is Beauty, Truth and Goodness, which is God himself. The author hopes through this book (I call it a "course") to help readers "rediscover the meaning of Beauty."
He addresses the competing themes at work in church buildings today and strives, in charity, to find middle ground between conflicting theories of liturgical architecture. There are 16 frequently asked questions included from his parish presentations and from the classroom, that helped inspire him to write the book. His answers are straightforward.
Summing up the role of liturgical art and architecture joined to the liturgy, McNamara writes: "...it reveals to us our heavenly destination by showing us where we are, where we have been, and where we are going. ... It welcomes us to the Heavenly Banqueting Feast ... It shows to our eyes the glory of heaven and absorbs all good that has come before; from pagan, Jew, and Christian. ... In it we swim in the warm, effortless delight of the Sabbath, in the vision of freedom where all is from God, to God, and about God."

Accessible, Balanced and Scholarly
Building churches is a touchy topic.McNamara brings in historical and theological background without overwhelming the casual reader with technical terms or unhelpful details.His approach is very balanced, neither conservative nor progressive, firmly rooted in Vatican II and the traditions of the Church (and of architecture).

I have long searched for a book that would teach me "How to Read a Church."This book does that, and much more.

Required reading for Church Architect Projects
Denis McNamara has delivered a framework for church architects and building projects that has been needed for many years.Denis takes from theory and spiritual concepts to deliver brick and stone examples.This book is full of photos and methodologies of how churches are built, explaining the traditions, theology, and techniques used to in representing heaven on earth, via a built structure.

The book is accessible to laymen, builders, and clergy.It is also informative from a historical perspective as to what theories have led us to the way churches look over time.The audience need not be a specialist to enjoy this, but a specialist can certainly use this as a tool in building projects. ... Read more

Product Description
As in other cities, Cleveland has developed through the evolution of its European ethnic neighborhoods and their various religions. Many of these neighborhoods built their own churches, which became the focus of community development and unity. For decades, these churches thrived, but the new millennium has brought with it huge changes in the economy. Large "membership" institutions, like the Catholic Church, have had to make the toughest of decisions--closing churches that were thought to be a permanent part of the local landscape. The authors of this book feel it is important to preserve the memory of these significant religious, cultural, and social institutions so that the current and future generations do not forget them. The pictures of these incredible places take on a whole new meaning when coupled with the fact that they will soon be gone. These pages celebrate the architecture, art, and artifacts of these sacred structures in high-quality photographs and explanations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent
I received this book in good timing and is in good condition.This is for my mother's birthday on Halloween.It is Wednesday Oct 27 and came in plenty of time. ... Read more

Product Description
Thinking about church architecture has come to an impasse. Reformers and traditionalists are talking past each other. In Theology in Stone , Richard Kieckhefer seeks to help both sides move beyond the standoff toward a fruitful conversation about houses of worship. Drawing on a wide range of historical examples with an eye to their contemporary relevance, he offers refreshing new ideas about the meanings and uses of church architecture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Ex cathedra
Perhaps it is because I come from the same background (Western Anglo-Catholic) as the approach from which Richard Kieckhefer comes in this text that I find such a resonance with what he has to say.'Theology in Stone' looks at various aspects of church design, from the long tradition of church building in Christianity up to the present time.His text begins with four principle factors in basic church design, and then looks in some detail at three particular styles.

The four factors highlighted are not typical architectural concerns, but rather wrapped up in spiritual, theological, and aesthetic values.How does the space work?What is the central and centering focus?Is there an aesthetic impact compatible with the intention of the church?How do symbols function and resonate?There are no universal answers to these types of questions.As Kieckhefer states, 'Response to a church [is] conditioned by culture and by cultural interaction.'Response is also related to expectations, usefulness, the people populating the church, and a number of other concerns.However, perhaps most importantly, response to a church is a learned process that generally 'requires informed reflection.The meanings of a church are seldom obvious.'

With regard to spatial dynamics and centering focus, Kieckhefer states, the purpose of the building is expressed.The symbolic resonance goes to the meaning of the church, and the aesthetic impact relates to the form.Kieckhefer takes classic church architecture ideas and applies them not to the task of planning and building a church as much as to understanding how the buildings function and have meaning for those who use them now.Kieckhefer also differentiates between the issue of what a church has meant and what a church can mean.

The churches Kieckhefer highlights include Beverly Minster, a church in the then second city of York (York, of course, being the second city, ecclesiastically speaking, of England, after Canterbury).The examination of this church, along with others, takes into account the surrounding community, the geography of the church's placement, and the population that peoples the church.'The meaning of church architecture can never be read in abstraction from local ethos,' Kieckhefer states.This is also true of Chicago, where there is about as diverse a collection of churches as anywhere else on the planet.Still, there are discernable patterns here, according to Kieckhefer.'There were three basic approaches to liturgical space in these churches:the design of Roman Catholic churches was appropriate mainly for intercession, that of Protestant churches for proclamation, and that of Eastern Orthodox churches for meditation.'Kieckhefer examines here the churches of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, 'a time just before the rise of architectural modernism and liturgical reform.'Kieckhefer's third area of discussion focuses upon the work of Rudolf Schwarz, whose strong, simple designs rely on reinterpretations of classic architectural ideas and embraces liturgical principles both ancient and modern.

Kieckhefer concludes the book with a dicussion of modern issues, doing significant theological reflection, including the tension between modern and traditional designs (both from intention and actual application), movements toward increased congregational participation, and other pulls between orthodoxy and dogmatism (which Kieckhefer describes as being opposites for his purposes here).He sees great resilience in the past, which can give new life and freedom to modern designs.

Kieckhefer writes well, and his arguments are interesting to follow.They tend toward the sacramental side, but has a healthy respect for different views in his presentation.His endnotes are helpful and worthwhile, but a bibliography (even as a simple list) would be helpful.There is a good index, and a number of black-and-white photographs (most done by Kieckhefer himself).

This is a text that will be of interest beyond the architectural crowd, but to any who seek to understand the way in which church architecture has meaning and can mean for the community.

Stone by Stone
Kieckhefer has done an admirable job trying to create a convincing scholarly narrative for the evolution of church architecture. This work adds to the growing body of texts on religious architecture and stands as an important contribution to the field. My reservations about the book come from its lackluster choice of "illustrative" examples. Kieckhefer has a wealth of examples to choose from and rather than picking the rule picks the exception. This demonstrates the valuable spirit of experimentation and development the field has come to expect of architects, but only scratches the surface of the wealth of architectural patterns that are evident today. ... Read more

Product Description
The last decade has seen the emergence of a whole new generation of church designs. Covering buildings across the world, Contemporary Church Architecture aims to appeal not only to architects and clergy involved directly in ecclesiastical architecture but also other practitioners and those with a broader interest in cutting-edge design. This book covers the development of contemporary church design by looking at how the rational and the sacred can be reconciled and can inform one another. It also outlines the main trends and approaches: the conflict between self-expression and expression of the sacred, between sculptural signification and functionalism. Beautifully illustrated with around 350 photographs. ... Read more

Product Description
The early middle ages were an exciting period in the history of European architecture, culminating in the development of the Romanesque style.Major architectural innovations were made during this time including the medieval castle, the church spire, and the monastic cloister. By avoiding the traditional emphasis on chronological development, Roger Stalley provides a radically new approach to the subject, exploring issues and themes rather than sequences and dates. In addition to analysing the language of the Romanesque, the book examines the engineering achievements of the builders, and clearly how the great monuments of the age were designed and constructed. Ranging from Gotland to Apulia, the richness and variety of European architecture is explored in terms of the social and religious aspirations of the time. Symbolic meanings associated with architecture are also thoroughly investigated. Written with style and humour, the lively text includes many quotations from ancient sources, providing a fascinating insight into the way that medieval buildings were created, and in the process enlivening study of this period. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Early Medieval Architecture
The text arrived in good shape, and was just as described.What kept this from being a 5-star review was the sluggishness of the delivery, some 3 1/2 weeks after being ordered.

comprehensive and entertaining
Mr. Stalley has written an excellent piece of work by combining the architecture in the early middle ages with its historical context. The content is entertaining and informative. It starts by describing the origin of the basilicas, their evolution along time and the influence that the medieval society (either royal, secular, or religious) had on both, design and construction, of these outstanding long lasting works.

Flagship Volume in New Art History Series
Published last year, this is one of the initial volumes to appear in the extremely good, new "Oxford History of Art" series, which almost outdoes even the recent "Everyman Art Library", which it resembles.Both series are an attempt to make available up-to-the-momentoverviews of selected areas of the history of building, sculpture,painting, and photography.Whereas the Everyman series seems to beopen-ended, Oxford have divided their survey of world art into categoriesby area and/or subject, although only a handful of titles have appeared todate.

Both series are superbly well printed and illustrated; eachincludes maps, charts, timelines, and bibliographies.What Thames andHudson's "World of Art" series did well for several decades,these two series are now achieving in a more strictly periodizing form,with greater emphasis on method and, in the case of Oxford, on Theory.

Inboth the Oxford and Everyman series, the most fascinating volumes are thosewhich treat subjects broken down or combined in unusual ways.Thus, AlisonCole's "Art of the Italian Renaissance Courts" (l995) seeks tocompare Naples, Urbino, Milan, Ferrara, and Mantua--- bringing relativeclarity to a topic that most surveys tend to gloss over.Similarly, LorenPartridge's Everyman"The Renaissance in Rome" (1996) treats theQuattrocentoand Cinquecentoin the Eternal City, chapter by chapter, interms of urban planning, churches, palaces, altarpieces, chapeldecorations, and halls of state--- all in a single volume.

BeforeStalley,the two Oxford volumes I had read were Jas Elsner's"Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph" and Craig Clunas's"Art in China".Both are by younger scholars and are massivelyimbued with new (politically correct) art history.Yet both books arefilled with challenging and brilliant examples and new information. Infact, the China volume is written (like all of Clunas's work) from aperspective that is truly revolutionary in Chinese studies.At the end ofthe day, both Elsa and Clunas are so skilled, both as writers andhistorians, that even the jargon of the new art history is eclipsed by thesheer quality of the two works.

Roger Stalley, Professor of the Historyof Art, at Trinity College, Dublin, writes clearly, penetratingly, andwithout jargon."Early Medieval Architecture" is deftlyconstructed, and the author claims that his chapters may be read "inalmost any order".This may indeed be the case (I read straightthrough and could scarcely put the book aside).It comes, of course, as nosmall recommendation that Stalley was a student of Peter Kidson's.

Whatmakes "Early Medieval Architecture" unique is the editorialdecision to relegate the entire topic of "late" medieval buildingto a separate volume by Nicola Coldstream.Therefore, hardly a mention ismade of "Gothic--- the question that Stalley addresses being:"What is Romanesque?"Like its subject the book is suitablyaustere, yet it is not without personality.The endnotes are unobtrusive,and there is a state- of-the-art Bibliographic Essay.All this issupplemented by some 150 varied and informative photographs and redrawnplans and building sections.There is virtually no attention to sculpture,as befits a scholar whose interests and sympathies are Cistercian; however,there is a sensitive underlying concern with the "language ofarchitecture" itself, such that the book would give pleasure to anyworking architect.

Stalley has given us ten chapters starting with"The Christian Basilica", where his subject overlaps slightlywith that of the Elsner's book.Appropriately, the argument returns againand again to Rome.The next chapter is an exercise in setting forth thearchitecture of the Carolingian Renaissance, where light is shed in an areaof architectural history that for the novice is more typically hedged withexceptions and speculation.A third chapter pursues the "iconographyof architecture" in Rome, Milan, Ravenna, and Jerusalem, as well aslesser-known places.

Chapter 4 is devoted to secular architecture andis somewhat revisionist in tone.The very fact that such an exercise isprovided bodes well for the clarity of Stalley's enterprise, and there arenumerous photographs throughout the book that succeed in demonstrating arelationship between ecclesiastical buildings and the architecture offeudalism.

Chapters 5 and 6 treat, respectively, the patron-as-builderand the builder-as-engineer.In this, the architectural expertise ofcertain early patrons is stressed, while the engineering argument is softpeddled, in the sense that techniques of vaulting are not allowed todominate a more all-embracingexplanation of the general integrity of thebuilding fabric. As the author reminds us, the story of vaulting has toooften been permitted to get out of hand, leading the discussion of earlymedieval structure well beyond what is warranted by evidence and probablyaway from what must have been the original aims and concerns of earlymedieval builders themselves, whether "engineers" ornot.

Chapters 7 and 8 deal with the influences of pilgrimage andmonasticism on early medieval building. Here a number of relevantstatistics and medieval texts are cited that raise the discussion wellabove what is ordinarily expected to suffice the undergraduate reader.Forexample, the names of the seven major services or "offices" ofBenedictine communal worship are set out and, where needed, explanation isoffered.The discussion of the famous St. Gall plan is commendable in itsdetail, while the full-page photographic detail of the plan is printed incolor to show the use of red ink on parchment.Included here is mentionand illustration of the recently restored Cistercian abbey church atFontenay, which as a caption points out, may reflect the destroyed motherhouse at Clairvaux.

The final two chapters are a magisterialrecapitulation of the "Language of Architecture", starting off"During the course of the eleventh century a new architecturallanguage emerged in western Europe...", and of its subsequent diversitythroughout Europe.In summary, this is an exciting book that matches someof the recent strides forward in early medieval social and politicalhistory and provides a superlative discussion of a topic that has rarelybeen so coherentlypresented and illustrated in a single volume.

DavidB. Stewart, Tokyo Institute of Technology ... Read more

Product Description
This book explores in detail twenty-four churches in ten countries throughout Western Europe, built between 1900 and 1950. Contemporary photographs and floor plans help readers identify the unique characteristics of each building, and are complemented by texts outlining the churches’ architectural highlights. The author discusses the Modernist period from its genesis in the Art Nouveau movement, while theologians explore the subject of Catholic and Protestant liturgies and their relationships to the buildings. Together with its companion volume, European Church Architecture 1950–2000, this survey is a milestone in the literature on ecclesiastical architecture. ... Read more

Product Description
Once modern science declared the emptiness and meaninglessness of a strictly material universe, it was only a matter of time before architects would adopt the new understanding of space, that is to say that no space is special because none is any different or better than any other.

Customer Reviews (2)

Must Read
This is an excellent book that shows the reader the motivation and illogic that modern church architects use to create the monstrosities called churches.

The Devil is a Modern Architect
I'd thought everyone had lost the plot. Now I'm sure The Devil must be a Modern Architect'. Exigent, compelling reading. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing’s Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
A concise and thought-provoking guide to visioning and creating space to support the "work of the people" as they worship. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This the church, this is the steeple...
We used this book by the Whites in our seminary's class, Church & the Arts.Part of that class deals with architecture, and while it is important to understand the symbolism and artistic/architectural elements in Gothic cathedrals, relatively few seminary graduates in this country will have charge and care of such structures, so the need for a practical approach is also present.

The Whites' book is very practical in its orientation.While discussing in general terms the kinds of services that a church conducts, they discuss in some descriptive detail the various considerations on a application level - where will the people sit during a service of word and table, and how will a reorientation to being 'in the round' make things different from the more traditional long-nave arrangement of pews or chairs?How will the acoustics fit the types of preaching, speaking, and music present in the service?Where will people gather before and after services, and what effect does this have on the general flow of things?

The Whites do come to things from a theological standpoint - the primary purpose involved in the architectural aspects they highlight have to do with community-building and enhancing common worship from a primarily Protestant/Reformed tradition, but many of the points they make from a practical standpoint can be applicable to church design in Catholic or various Protestant denominations.Specific issues around areas for baptism, communion, and pastoral services may need special adaptation given denominational standards, but other considerations such as energy conservation, resonance for sound, handicapped access and similar issues need to be addressed by all in church planning.

The one down-side of this text is that it is so practical and descriptive while leaving only seven pages to the discussion of art and aesthetics as a value in the planning of a church - if, as the Whites write, the church is not simply the building but the community of people gathered, then this aspect of expression and provision for the community cannot be left to a mere afterthought.Anyone who has seen a wonderful church space ruined by an inappropriate-looking (although perfectly functional) piece of furniture or art will know that there needs to be more concern for this.

Still, for a great many Christians, this book will be a good introduction to the breadth of possibilities for what can comprise a church building.Many only have experience of a few buildings; this opens avenues of ideas for the structure and layout of many different things, inviting the imagination to wonder at how services would be different in the different styles of church structures.

Read with pencil in hand
Dr. Susan White (TCU - Brite Divinity School) and Dr. James White (Drew University & Yale) have collaborated to write this book.It not about architectural styling.It is about the relevant theology that should be considered as one either designs a church building or investigates how an existing facility is used.There is more information on the "why" of church building design instead of the "what" or "how pretty", that one should plan on reading this book over several days, with plenty of time taken for reflection and research into the ideas presented.This is not an "easy" book - it makes one think and pray; however the language is understandable without dumbing down the content.Any architect, minister, trustee, or building committee chair should revew the ideas in this book periodically to stimulate thoughts on whether or not their facility design is supporting the main role of the church - ministry.A church is, after all, not the building the people inhabit; a church is the people involved in the ministries God has called them to co-participate in with Him. ... Read more

Product Description
Presents an overall view of the history and changing character of Early Christian and Byzantine architecture, from Rome and Milan to North Africa, Constantinople, Greece and the Balkans and from Egypt and Jerusalem to the villages and monasteries of Syria, Asia Minor, Armenia and Mesopotamia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Guide Book of Medeival Norwegian Churches
Stave churches are post and beam buildings that were constructed during the medeival period in Northwestern Europe.Most of these striking wooden churches have dissapeared over the centuries.However, due to its relative poverty and isolation, Stave churhes survived in Norway into the modern era.

Twenty nine of these remarkable churches can still be visited in Norway."Norway's Stave Churches", is a pleasant guide book for anyone interested in visiting them.After a straight forward introduction, the authors present three page descriptions of each of the surviving churches.The photos are beautiful and the written content is brief and to the point.If you are looking for an academic study of Stave churches, this book is not for you.However, if you are looking for a brief introduction to the surviving Stave churches, this book hits the spot.Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to rural Norway. ... Read more

Product Description
The very image of Florence has been built around her churches and she identifies with them in a way in which no other city does. The values of Florentine life and history can be recognised in the network of ecclesiastical buildings which continue to signal the city's development after 'Churches of Florence' provides not only an extensive guide to the many churches that can be found in the city of Florence, but also grants the reader a comprehensive, fascinating insight into the history of The Church and its impact on the city itself. An historical account of the 'New Cathedral' and Brunelleschi's Dome are also documented. The book contains stunning full colour photographs of every featured church and boasts a full bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Helpful
The book does an excellent job in desribing the steps needed to do planning and building of a church facility of any type. ... Read more

Product Description
Churches and cathedrals play an essential part in our heritage. As community-centred places of worship and as important tourist attractions, they are visited by millions of people each year. But churches were originally built to be read, and so are packed with images, symbols and meanings that often need explanation. This book will unlock all the treasures they contain. Described by Christopher Howse in the Daily Telegraph as 'a handy crash course in church literacy', the first edition of this unique and accessible guide to the common symbols and meanings in church art and architecture became a bestseller on first publication. Now this fascinating and lively book is available in a new illustrated edition. Over 100 stunning colour photographs represent the very best in church architecture - from paintings, fonts and altars, to pew ends, choir stalls and stained glass windows. It is the ultimate reference for anybody who wants to know more about what they see in a church or cathedral from the significance of church layouts, the symbolism of key scenes and the importance of details, to the use of colours and letters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

How to read a church
A very useful book for teaching purposes and giving an understanding of many church items

Reading a church
Well written and organized. I learned a lot. Potential buyers should know that the focus of this book is on Anglican and Catholic churches. I'd recommend it very highly.

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED.
Bought this to prepare for a trip to Italy, hoping to better understand what I was seeing in all those historic churches.This book, however, is centered on churches as places of Christian worship.To quote from the introduction: "Admiring a church for its beauty or history alone is like admiring a Monet for the frame".This is the author's principle theme.As an example, one chapter is devoted to the life of Jesus.In it, he elaborates on 29 different stages of Christ's life that you might see as an image in a church, from the Nativity to The Incredulity of Thomas.Other chapters include The Virgin Mary, Saints, and The Old Testament. The book does provide the needed visual clues to understand what one is seeing, e.g. pictures of St. Lawrence are of a young man with an iron grid and a money bag.However, the piety of the author is the both the book's strength and weakness.Those of the Christian faith may find this a wonderful read.Those of other faiths or none at all may be constantly irritated (as I was) by his writing technique, which treats the Bible as a source of eye-witness history.If you are looking for dispassionate discussion of church imagery, look elsewhere.

Introduction for the churchgoer
This book would be a useful guide for the American churchgoer who is curious about the signs and symbols he sees around him.In an encyclopedia-like format, Taylor describes the chi-rho, the attributes of the more popular saints, and similar visual messages of Christianity.

It is not in-depth or particularly scholarly.For example, the entry for the columbine (flower, not high school) gives one meaning for that flower's symbolism, but does not go into older meanings that appear in medieval art.OK for most uses, but not as a reference for art history students.

There are also odd mistakes that an editor should have prevented.For example, throughout the book Taylor uses the word "unshaven" to mean "beardless".I don't know about him, but when I don't shave, I am bearded.

Informed, well-written
This is a well-written, religiously neutral excursion of the visual symbols and elements of the Christian church, more or less as it exists today and leaning somewhat to the Anglican church. It is not a history of Christian church architecture or symbols through the ages though the author seems to be fairly conversant with the relevant art history. It is no more or less than a brief description of what is behind what you'd see in an English church, with accounts of the lives of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Peter and all the rest, in case you know absolutely nothing.

The charming churches the author is most familiar with are relics, and efforts like this one that may in some way preserve them are good. They, the churches of the past, are as much like America's mega-churches as flowers are like asphalt. I don't know if they have mega-churches in Europe. I don't think so. They, the mega-churches, help us envision the utter banality of the age to come. And what a long way we have traveled since Chartres.

The author is studiously non-evangelistic, which is good, but one feels the absence of faith in or hope for anything beyond the obvious. It is really a rather light-hearted anatomy of Christian churches, lacking soul.If there's no hope of meaningfulness, no hope that these places may convey the possibility of a real inner life, it all seems rather hollow. ... Read more

Product Description

Humble or grand, wood or marble, churches have given physical shape to humanity's highest spiritual and artistic aspirations over the past twenty centuries. These structures not only stand as monuments to God, they also offer revealing testimony to humanity's immense potential and constant effort to understand, express, and honor the Divine.

Churches is a work of art that reflects the grandeur of its subject matter. In this compelling book, Judith Dupré, bestselling author of Skyscrapers and Bridges, presents an architectural tour of fifty-nine of the world's most enduring Christian churches, from such celebrated landmarks as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois., and Le Corbusier's Chapel at Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp, France, to lesser-known masterpieces, including Huialoha Congregational Church on Maui and the Church on the Water in Hokkaido, Japan. Special theme essays cover the earliest Christian churches, the construction of Gothic cathedrals, the evolution of the baptismal font, churches designed by contemporary artists, and the revival of meditative labyrinth walking. With stunning imagery, fascinating essays, and an innovative design, this book is rich with factual detail and beautiful photography presented in an inviting, browsable format. Ms. Dupré offers a nuanced portrait of each structure, blending its architectural history with a deep appreciation for art and a reverence for religious traditions. Encompassing houses of worship from six major Christian denominations and all corners of the earth, Churches is a powerful chronology of faith and achievement that will inspire anyone interested in architecture, art, travel, religion, or photography.

Customer Reviews (23)

Great read!
Great read! Lots of pictures. So inspiring to read that some of these churches took over 200 years to build. So those building knew they wouldn't be alive to see the final product in full and yet they did their best at carving the most beautiful carvings. What a testimony.

Trojan Horse
I rated this a 2 because it's a '4' for style with a 'minus 2' for being intellectually dishonest.

Dishonest - because the author has wrapped her book in examples of traditional form and beauty, but the package inside discloses an iconoclastic agenda for church architecture.

A powerful example of her iconoclasm is evident in her treatment of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.The church is reknowned for its adornment with mosaics, yet she fails to depict or even make mention of the monumental mosaic of 'Christ in Majesty,' the largest mosaic of Christ in the world.The author's refusal to depict and discuss the architectural focal point of the basilica diminishes her own point of view.

In her narratives about her selections of modern church architecture she is always completely positive in her treatment.In contrast, her narratives about the traditional Catholic churches repeatedly include some type of negative critique of the Catholic Church or Catholic culture.As the author identifies herself as Catholic she positions herself as a sort of 'inspector general' prosecuting her own brethren.

She could never get people to publish or buy a coffee table book onmodern church architecture.

So - she appropriates the beauty of the traditional Church forms - and uses that as a platform to praise formless modern churches.Some of those which she presents do have a peculiar beauty - but these typically are cold and uninviting - some are pretentious - even repulsive.The spawn of these modern archetypes are mediocre and ugly, and a typical example is her own parish church depicted at the end of her book.

In sum - the author doesn't seem to appreciate the beauty of enduring church forms - instead - she seems infatuated with the novelty of modern architecture.

Great photos of amazing churches
I am very glad I purchased this book.

There is a wide range of eras and styles covered, and the photos are superb. The architecture and artwork is the focus, but the author never loses sight of the fact that these are places of worship and sanctuary.

I was quite pleased that the book included an unusual Oriental church and a few others that were unconventional.

The only thing that kept it from getting 5 stars was that I wished it had included at least one old-fashioned country chapel/church (stone or wood/timbered) and also that it had included the ancient church at Brixworth (which, if my memory serves, was built in the 700's and is the oldest still-standing church in England)--it's beautiful as well as historic.

The perfect gift for a fan of architecture, history, and travel
I purchased this for my mom a couple of years ago. She loves to travel Europe, is interested in history and religion, and likes art and architecture. This book was the absolute perfect gift (if I do say so myself), and just so happens to be one I grab now and again whenever I visit my parents. Other "coffee table" books have come and gone, but this one constantly bobs back to the top of the proverbial stack.

The photography is wonderful, and the text descriptions are no slouch, either, offering a great historical perspective on each church and its locale. The variety of churches is quite admirable, as well, covering most continents and many denominations (christian and unitarian, just so you know...no mosques or temples here, unfortunately - but that would be a 500 page compendium, not this more specialized look).

For any afficionado of religion, art, or architecture, this book will be pored over and enjoyed quite vigorously. I can't recommend it enough.

Excellent book; excellent pictures
The pictures are great, and the recapitulation of the history that follows the construction of these structures is wonderful.This is no small book.The length is over 16 inches and the width is over 12 inches.Thus, the pictures featured here have greater impact on the reader than other books which display smaller images with details that are barely perceivable.The author must have known this to have made the size of this book an issue before the "print" phase came along. ... Read more

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Product Description
For nearly eighteen centuries, two fundamental spatial plans dominated Christian architecture: the basilica and the central plan. In the 1880s, however, profound socio-economic and technological changes in the United States contributed to the rejection of these traditions and the development of a radically new worship building, the auditorium church. When Church Became Theatre focuses on this radical shift in evangelical Protestant architecture and links it to changes in worship style and religious mission. The auditorium style, featuring a prominent stage from which rows of pews radiated up a sloping floor, was derived directly from the theatre, an unusual source for religious architecture but one with a similar goal-to gather large groups within range of a speaker's voice. Theatrical elements were prominent; many featured proscenium arches, marquee lighting, theatre seats, and even opera boxes.Examining these churches and the discussions surrounding their development, Jeanne Halgren Kilde focuses on how these buildings helped congregations negotiate supernatural, social, and personal power. These worship spaces underscored performative and entertainment aspects of the service and in so doing transformed relationships between clergy and audiences. In auditorium churches, the congregants' personal and social power derived as much from consumerism as from piety, and clerical power lay in dramatic expertise rather than connections to social institutions. By erecting these buildings, argues Kilde, middle class religious audiences demonstrated the move toward a consumer-oriented model of religious participation that gave them unprecedented influence over the worship experience and church mission. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fascinating Church History through the Lens of Architecture
I found the history and illustrations found in this book unforgettable.I think of it every time I drive past a church now because I now understand so much more about what is embedded in the history of different forms of chuch buildings. The aim of the book is to explore the history of American Protestant architecture, but the real meat of the book is a marvelous guide to American church history as a whole.I learned a lot.

A new book that uses Kilde's contribution for understanding a vibrant church is called Hollywood Faith: Holiness, Prosperity, and Ambition in a Los Angeles Church.This church meets in a converted movie theater in Hollywood.The book shows how having church in a theater shapes the religion of the church.I highly recommend it.

Entertaining God
The exterior and interior designs of church structures testify not only to economic standing and technological advances; they also witness to broader cultural changes and to the religious and social motivations of the builders. The disclosure of these motivations-and the meanings and values associated with the buildings themselves-is the subject of Kilde's study of nineteenth-century evangelical architecture. Of particular interest to her are the changing politics of space: statements of power, authority, and relationship (between God, clergy, and laity-and with "the world") made in stone, wood, and glass; the correlation of "sacred" and "secular" designs; and the reciprocal influences between the style or function of worship and the disposition of the space. Although Kilde's study progresses from the Federalist style at the beginning of the nineteenth century, to the Gothic revival at roughly mid century, and to the neomedieval auditorium at century's end, throughout she keeps an eye on the theater-style church and the (internal and external) dynamics that brought its increasing popularity. Particularly interesting was her treatment of buildings associated with revivalist Charles Grandison Finney as a case study on the emergence of the theater design from experiments in the early decades of the century. Helpful as well was her discussion of the ongoing evolution of the theater style as it adjusted to meet the needs of revivalism and of the family-oriented congregation.

Because of her multidisciplinary approach, Kilde's well-researched contribution will be valuable to scholars of architectural history, cultural studies, church history, and liturgical studies. But such a broad approach across fields sometimes results in an overgeneralization of specialist terminology. A liturgical scholar will find troubling the use of "cathedral" to mean a large building, false distinctions between "liturgical" and "non-liturgical," and reference throughout to the congregation as the "audience" even among evangelicals. ... Read more