Arts & Crafts Churches

Book excerpt: These churches are visually arresting, with often quaint, at times far-fetched and capricious exteriors. Internally, they often contain beautiful works of art, including reredoses, pulpits, lecterns, pews, doors, lighting, stained glass and altars. They also tell a fascinating story about religion as Britain entered the age of modernity. While the architects were often religiously sceptical, they were still committed to making beauty, despite their ambivalence about its higher purpose. Beginning with an introductory section in which author Alec Hamilton sets out the social and political context in which these churches were designed and constructed; on the Arts & Crafts more generally; and on the architects' and clients' beliefs, this book is then divided into regional sections: West Country; the South of England; the South East; London; the Home Counties; the Marches; the West Midlands; the East Midlands; the East of England; the North West; Yorkshire; the North of England; Wales; Scotland. Each section is headed by a short essay highlighting key architects and descriptions of notable churches within each region.