What do you think?
Rate this book
Churches: Explore the Symbols, Learn the Language and Discover the History
Churches and cathedrals contain a wealth of fascinating architectural detail as well as symbols that are often hard to interpret. This insightful guide explores the extraordinary richness and diversity of features common to churches and cathedrals and explains their meaning as well as their significance to the building as a whole. The defining characteristics of key architectural eras over the centuries are also identified, including Norman, gothic, and classical. Whether a tiny parish church or a grand cathedral, this is the perfect resource for appreciating the traditions, meanings, and beauty of these important and sacred buildings.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 29, 2021
This superb book is as well written as it is beautifully produced. Offering a concise introduction into churches, their history and their features, it does so in some style with attractive illustrations and diagrams, and is interspersed with little case studies and features.
Covering many aspects of church architecture and development, it also naturally covers cathedrals and their structure - complete with a useful summary of the different positions within the church; dean, archdeacon and so on.
The different architectural styles in which churches are built is covered, as is the range of interior features in our churches.
This is primarily a book about Anglian churches in England, but Roman Catholic churches are also covered, particularly where an element of their layout or structure differs from an Anglian one. We are also taken briefly around the world, making it a well rounded summary.
This is a concise book, just spriritual enough to revere its subject without this getting in the way of the facts. A brilliant introduction to those with very little prior knowledge, and a useful reference for everyone. Highly recommended.
Covering many aspects of church architecture and development, it also naturally covers cathedrals and their structure - complete with a useful summary of the different positions within the church; dean, archdeacon and so on.
The different architectural styles in which churches are built is covered, as is the range of interior features in our churches.
This is primarily a book about Anglian churches in England, but Roman Catholic churches are also covered, particularly where an element of their layout or structure differs from an Anglian one. We are also taken briefly around the world, making it a well rounded summary.
This is a concise book, just spriritual enough to revere its subject without this getting in the way of the facts. A brilliant introduction to those with very little prior knowledge, and a useful reference for everyone. Highly recommended.
September 28, 2012
As an ex-architecture student I am used to reading books about buildings, but unfortunately I am not used to being entertained by them. So often the books are merely shopping lists of features and historical facts detailing that led to the creation of a style or building.
But Churches by Timothy Brittain-Catlin is a fantastic book, that simply flows through the features as a practical guide to connecting with a space that can be enjoyed by Architects and building enthusiasts.
I loaned it to a friend at work who has just a passing interests in building features and he ate it up, using ut as a guide on his next visit to the York Minster. It bursts with character and feels more like a gentlemanly conversation rather than an educational text.
But Churches by Timothy Brittain-Catlin is a fantastic book, that simply flows through the features as a practical guide to connecting with a space that can be enjoyed by Architects and building enthusiasts.
I loaned it to a friend at work who has just a passing interests in building features and he ate it up, using ut as a guide on his next visit to the York Minster. It bursts with character and feels more like a gentlemanly conversation rather than an educational text.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews