Architecture: religious buildings Books

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Book SynopsisThis practical and comprehensive guide offers essential and expert advice on every aspect of caring for churches. A money-saving handbook for all who care for and maintain church buildings, it provides expert advice from a leading church architect and an experienced heritage buildings specialist. Drawn from extensive experience of working with local churches, they also show how church buildings can be tools for contemporary mission, packed with potential for effective engagement with the whole community. They cover a wide range of practical issues that affect church buildings, from caring for medieval masonry to installing multimedia electronic systems, and offer essential information and easy-to-follow advice on: • heating, lighting and energy efficiency • installing a kitchen or toilets • dealing with damp • treating timber decay • making your building accessible • what to do about bats • health and safety • seating options • fonts and baptisteries and much more. In addition, this handbook offers a step-by-step guide to planning and implementing an extension or a reordering project, including advice on public consultation, dealing with diocesan committees and fundraising. An annual calendar of basic church care is included, plus a church health checklist and a basic church buildings audit.Trade Review‘Any priest or parish stumped by the enormity and complexity of the task of making the most of our inherited buildings need look no further. This book is a superb tool for helping us see with fresh eyes the gift of landmark buildings in key locations, and enabling us to realise their full potential for the mission of the Kingdom of God.’ -- Richard GilesThis immensely practical, clear and thorough guide, written by acknowledged experts, will be an invaluable aid to anyone who cares about church buildings, realises their potential for mission and wants to release it. Church buildings can be an enormous asset for the gospel: this book will help anyone who reads it ensure that they are.’ -- Bishop John Inge'It is a comprehensive handbook rooted in the realities of parish life.' -- John Kiddle * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisThe ancient churches and cathedrals of England's towns and countryside are among the glories of our national heritage. Yet how were our ancestors able to construct these often substantial edifices without the benefit of modern techniques? How did the medieval masons plan, design and oversee their construction? What methods of construction were used by the medieval carpenters to realise the magnificent roofs and ceilings we see today? In this unique guide, Geoffrey R. Sharpe brings forty years experience of caring for historic buildings to show us how, from the original planning and preparation to the final construction and decoration. In a final chapter the author shows the reader how to assess the history and development of a church from the constructional and architectural clues contained within its features. The result is a work that adds a whole new dimension to our understanding of English church building and architecture.Table of ContentsIntroduction PART 1 : The Construction of Churches Use of limes and cements; Concrete;Foundations;Wall construction;Masonry classifications;Building Stones; Dressing and working stone; Re-use of old stone; Coade stone; The structural use of buttresses; The medieval mason; Stone stairs and steps; stone windows;vaulting; arches; Pillars, piers and columns; Pilasters and responds; Capitals, bases and plinths; Floors; Church towers; Spires and steeples; Gables; Plasterwork; Metalwork; Historic carpentry;Roof construction; Roof coverings; Doors; Structural use of iron; Making and use of stained glass PART 2: Church Architecture The greater churches; Smaller churches and chapels; Saxon churches; Norman churches; Transition to Gothic; Great English cathedrals; Development of the Gothic style; Early English; Decorated; Perpendicular; Features of the building fabric which aid analysis; Porches and vestibules; Arcading; Anchorite cell; Columns, capitals, bases, Piers; Doorways; Windows; Mouldings and ornament;Tracery and foils; Parapets; Cornice; Corbel; Corbel table; Crockets; Regional characteristics of parish churches; Effect of the Renaissance on church design PART 3: Church Interiors Bede roll; Vestry; Sacristy; Lairstal; Crypts; Heart burials; Church fixtures and fittings; Pulpitum; Rood screen;Rood loftChancel screen; Parclose screen; Tower screen; Balacchino; Reredos;Triptych; Retable; Gradine; PiscinaLocker; Aumbry; Dole cupboard; Ambo; Reading desk; Sounding board; Church lighting and heating; Church monuments and memorials; Tomb chests; Table tombs;Tester-tombs; Dresser tomb; Wall monuments; Wall tablets; Cartouche; Brass plates' Tide dials;Almonry:Signs and symbols; Church bells PART 4: Investigating the Development of a Church Index

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