How to write a church and parish history: Architecture

Look

Church buildings are important evidence for wider historical developments in the life of the church and parish. In particular the theological and liturgical assumptions of the original builders are likely still to be apparent – a particularly prominent pulpit for the ministry of the word and relative lack of ornamentation suggests an Evangelical outlook, whereas a raised chancel (especially if behind a screen) and altar will point to an Anglo-Catholic theology. Current appearances, however, can be deceptive, if the churchmanship of a parish has changed over the generations, but dating alterations to a building can be a valuable clue as to when such changes occurred. Buildings also give some clues to growth and decline in attendances, for example in evidence for the construction and/or removal of galleries or additional aisles. Remember, however, that in this respect aspirations could often exceed realities!

Listen

What can others tell you about how the building has been altered within living memory? Has the way in which it is used been changed? What has been the impact of external events and changes such as possible damage in World War II, and the effect of changes to the nearby built environment and street layout? Follow this link for information on oral history.

Read

The following books will provide useful background information on churchbuilding and architecture, and some information on specific churches:

Chris Brooks and Andrew Saint, eds, The Victorian Church: Architecture and Society, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1995

James Stevens Curl, Book of Victorian Churches, London: Batsford, 1995.

Peter Howell and James Sutton, The Faber Guide to Victorian Churches, London: Faber, 1989.

Nigel Yates, Building, Faith and Worship: The Liturgical Arrangement of Anglican Churches 1600-1900, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Research

If the church you are interested was built, extended or substantially altered during the last two centuries (and few have not!), an accessible starting point for research on its architectural history is www.churchplansonline.org, which contains digitized plans held in the records of the Incorporated Church Building Society [ICBS], dating back to 1818. For further information, you would then need to consult the relevant ICBS file, available at Lambeth Palace Library, or the files on each church held in the Cathedral and Church Buildings Library at Church House, Westminster.