After the Protestant Reformation, religion remained remarkably unstable in Great Britain, and places of worship were the focus of dispute and regular change. Beginning in the seventeenth century, the growth of the Nonconformist denominations left a particularly rich architectural legacy in the form of a vast and diverse network of churches and chapels constructed throughout the towns and cities of England. Although many of these buildings have been lost, about 20,000 remain, some still in use by congregations to this day. The Chapels of England provides the first chronological history of Nonconformist architecture in England, from the seventeenth century to the present day. Beautifully illustrated throughout with interior and exterior photography, the book includes examples that range from small wayside chapels to large urban churches and encompass all the country's regions and each of Nonconformity's main religious traditions. The book's chronological organization allows readers to follow the main developments in the architecture of Nonconformity and understand how these developments fit within broader religious and cultural conversations.

"Though we do not normally connect air-raid shelters with peace, I must confess that the fact that I had to live in an air-raid shelter during the 'blitz' of 1940 and 1941 gave me time and opportunity to do the reading necessary for this study in the life and importance of Richard Baxter. Some may consider that this work is merely another example of flogging a dead horse, but ideas which have rocked nations do not die as quickly as horses, and with the emergence of talk on Church reunion it is well that all parties should remind themselves of the origins and purpose of what is termed Nonconformity." -- From the Preface

First published in 1972, this volume shows the potency, and the limitations of Nonconformity in shaping the beginning of modern Britain. It draws upon a wide range of sources including the writings and discussions of Nonconformists themselves, their critics, and contemporary commentators. The extracts and the extensive introduction set Nonconformity in the broader context of social and political history, and address the ‘life’ of the free Churches: their conflicts, internal and externals, their organization and spread, and their theology. The collection demonstrates the variety and diversity of Nonconformity as well as the controversies and debates of the period. This book will be an excellent reference for students of History, English and Theology, and will provide a starting point for those who wish to explore Nonconformist history.