From early basilicas to medieval cathedrals, from churches in rural Africa to today's award-winning designs, this stunning volume reveals the different approaches to faith across the centuries, shifting architectural styles, and the effect of history on Christianity. Encompassing various Christian beliefs, from Catholic and Protestant to Baptist and Calvinist, the buildings include stone and wooden structures; ones that have been knocked down and rebuilt, or even moved from one location to another; and churches cut into rock.

Purchase one of 1st World Library's Classic Books and help support our free internet library of downloadable eBooks. Visit us online at www.1stWorldLibrary.ORG - - The general satisfaction given by the following sketches when originally printed in the Preston Chronicle, combined with a desire, largely expressed, to see them republished, in book form, is the principal excuse offered for the appearance of this volume. Into the various descriptions of churches, chapels, priests, parsons, congregations, &c., which it contains, a lively spirit, which may be objectionable to the phlegmatic, the sad-faced, and the puritanical, has been thrown. But the author, who can see no reason why a "man whose blood is warm within" should "sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster," on any occasion, has a large respect for cheerfulness, and has endeavoured to make palatable, by a little genial humour, what would otherwise have been a heavy enumeration of dry facts. Those who don't care for the gay will find in these sketches the grave; those who prefer vivacity to seriousness will meet with what they want; those who appreciate all will discover each. The solemn are supplied with facts; the facetious with humour; the analytical with criticism. The work embodies a general history of each place of worship in Preston - fuller and more reliable than any yet published; and for reference it will be found valuable, whilst for general reading it will be instructive. The author has done his best to be candid and impartial.

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.

An engaging, richly illustrated account of parish churches and churchgoers in England, from the Anglo-Saxons to the mid-sixteenth century Parish churches were at the heart of English religious and social life in the Middle Ages and the sixteenth century. In this comprehensive study, Nicholas Orme shows how they came into existence, who staffed them, and how their buildings were used. He explains who went to church, who did not attend, how people behaved there, and how they--not merely the clergy--affected how worship was staged. The book provides an accessible account of what happened in the daily and weekly services, and how churches marked the seasons of Christmas, Lent, Easter, and summer. It describes how they celebrated the great events of life: birth, coming of age, and marriage, and gave comfort in sickness and death. A final chapter covers the English Reformation in the sixteenth century and shows how, alongside its changes, much that went on in parish churches remained as before.

Churches and Chapels: A Design and Development Guide is a reference for structure approach to design, development, or alteration of a building. The book deals with designing or altering traditional Western congregational halls and places of worship through a harmonious rending of religious worship and social action. Part I of the book focuses on background, presenting general ideas and influences that made today's churches. Questions such as adapt or replace and concerns about design are addressed. This part also examines the role of today's clients and the possible types of churches and chapels that will prove desirable and satisfactory. Part II discusses the design process covering the need for a feasibility study and agreed design development. The feasibility study addresses retention of parts of the structure, size of the structure, costs, and consideration of other building designs. Design analysis involves evaluation of the architectural considerations that include Western congregational halls, design ideas, check-ups, and sketching. The details of the scheme design contain precise information that will serve as basis for the client to modify or accept and for the authorities to approve. Throughout this book, case studies that are relevant for each topic are also given. This guide is useful for administration of local, parochial, and district congregations. This book can likewise be appreciated by architects and structural engineers.