How to Read Churches: A Crash Course in Ecclesiastical Architecture

Small enough to fit in a pocket yet serious enough to provide real answers, this primer is a must-have for architecture and history buffs, tourists, and churchgoers interested in decoding the styles and symbols of religious buildings. Every building contains clues embedded in its design that identify not only its architectural style but also who designed it, what kind of congregation it was built for, and why. This practical yet charming handbook is the key to decoding the style, history, evolution, and social significance of religious buildings. Not strictly limited to churches, it also covers abbeys, chapels, and monasteries, among other structures. Organized according to architectural element (windows, domes, arches, etc.), each element is presented in chronological order. Additional chapters explore the architectural influence of geography, history, and various creeds, along with an illustrated timeline showing how, where, and in many cases why certain church features evolved through the centuries. There is also a useful introduction to naming each component of a church, from vaults to buttresses and transepts to apses. All entries are illustrated with period engravings and line drawings. This book will be invaluable for architecture buffs and anyone who has ever wondered why classic New England churches are white with little ornament, why Quaker meetinghouses have no altars, or why Episcopalians traditionally favored the Gothic style.

• How to Read Buildings: A Crash Course in Architectural Styles
• How to Read Houses: A Crash Course in Domestic Architecture
• Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy
• How to Read a Church: A Guide to Symbols and Images in Churches and Cathedrals
• How to Read Bridges: A Crash Course In Engineering and Architecture
• Sacred Spaces: The Awe-Inspiring Architecture of Churches and Cathedrals
• Heaven in Stone and Glass: Experiencing the Spirituality of the Great Cathedrals
• The Secret Language of Churches & Cathedrals: Decoding the Sacred Symbolism of Christianity's Holy Buildings
• How to Read Modern Buildings: A Crash Course in Architecture of the Modern Era
• Sacred Power, Sacred Space: An Introduction to Christian Architecture and Worship