Rice's Church Primer

by Matthew Rice

The countryside, towns and cities of Britain are full of churches. They represent some of the most iconic, beautiful and occasionally bizarre buildings in the country. They have a lot to say about our history, our art and our ideas. But how do you read them? Through charming illustrations, Rice's Church Primer reveals the basic grammar and vocabulary of church architecture throughout the United Kingdom.

As Matthew Rice says, 'Once you can speak any language, conversations can begin, but without it communications can only be brief and brutish. The same is the case with an inability to describe the component parts of a building leaves one tongue-tied and unable to begin to discuss what is or is not exciting, dull or peculiar about it.'

Rice's Church Primer explains the language of architecture in churches, from the restrained Norman style of William the Conqueror to the gilded excesses of the Baroque. The primer begins with an explanation of the basic 'Grammar' of elevation, plan, fronts, vaults and towers. This allows the reader to easily understand what follows. Next comes the 'Vocabulary' of styles in chronological order, from ancient Saxon churches to modern cathedrals. Each period covers component parts like doors, windows, towers, pews, panelling and pulpits. Finally, there is a map pinpointing some of the best churches around the country, so you can practise your newfound fluency in real life.

With Matthew Rice's elegant and witty illustrations to guide you, suddenly you'll understand why naves are necessary, why towers are built as tall as possible and why sometimes even the most respectable church needs a good flying buttress.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Reference, History, Art, Religion

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 29, 2013

Reviews

[Muireann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute gem. For starters it's delightful to hold - real thought has been put into the feel of the cover, and the creamy, thickish paper stock. Inside what could be slightly dry factual material is enlivened by idiosyncratic typesetting using colours and upper casing to highlight important or interesting points. And then the lovely images, which bring the whole thing to life, not as ideas or architectural diagrams but as part of our daily life - along with the gorgeous architecture there are many many cheerful dogs, some jolly vicars, a couple of miserable heathen sightseers, and a happy street drinker enjoying a bottle of something against a comfortable buttress.

[Réka · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5*
Brilliant foundation in architectural terminology, reviewing the main styles and placing them into historical context. The additional maps, appendices with the short history of effigies and stained glass making, are just the cherry on top. I really enjoyed the illustrations, but sometimes it's difficult to tell where the arrows are pointing exactly. The only thing I missed was a glossary from the end.

[Ian Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might think that a book dedicated to unravelling the intricacies of one-and-a-half millennia of British church architecture would be – to put it euphemistically – as dry as a moth’s wing, a fusty, dusty catalogue of arcane detail and unnecessary editorial stiffness, but Rice’s Church Primer is having none of it. It may even be fun.
Beautifully illustrated in full colour throughout, the Primer is an introduction to the language of church architecture and, as with all languages, there are some basic rules to master. First there are the component parts, the grammar of architectural forms – arch, buttress and truss, tracery, frieze and fluting. Then there are vocabularies, the way that these forms are expressed during a particular phase of church architecture and these are what take up most of the book, which is arranged in a way that seems to consciously reinvent the ‘plates section’. A few compact pages of text set the architectural and historical context for each period which are then followed by the reveal; spread after spread of annotated pen and wash illustrations that capture the details of each of nine architectural styles, from Saxons and Normans to recent times.
It’s easy to not only be enlightened but also delighted by Rice’s drawings, which border on impish and quirky at times. There are a small cast of characters that populate the churchyard – couples, vicars, ladies with watering cans and dogs, presumably painted in for scale but occasionally labelled as though they were part of the architecture. The book is rounded off with sections on the best examples of each style, monuments, glass and interior fittings.
This is a delightful book, a welcoming introduction that’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t know their Perpendicular from their Decorated.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art and history. An enjoyment to look at and read.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another exasperating outing with Matthew Rice. I love his style of illustration (all those people and dogs which give scale and lightness) and was well up for a refresher on church architecture. I don't know quite who deserves the blame for what this actually is - the designer? The editor? The most irritating feature is the random use of a pale beige upper case, for example: "LUSTY SAUSAGE-LIKE swirls" It's certainly not being used to assist learning.

The book is organised slightly oddly too, with sections on memorials, interiors and glass coming after the maps of churches to visit.

[Martin Tiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, well illustrated, not too long and very entertaining in parts. It will now live on the shelf next to "England's 1000 Best Churches" (Simon Jenkins) and will doubtless accompany us on future jaunts .

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic presentation of British churches and cathedrals in all their architectural variety. Includes historical text to put things in context, as well as drawn maps. A fun read.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and surprisingly funny primer for novices, with lovely illustrations that will delight experts as well.

[Peacefulbookery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful reference; very readable with engaging illustrations - i.e. a perfectly-pitched beginner's guide.