Description:
The square mile of the City of London today has 46 Faith Buildings; each a treasure-house of art and architecture and each with its own distinct character and story. Through previously unpublished archival images and a compelling narrative that demystifies their architectural history, this book asks what do we want these buildings to be, what and who are they for, and why should we care about them? By exploring them through the seasons, we are invited to get to know these precious places better and to consider the fundamental question, what is it that makes space sacred? The most elusive and emotive of architectural qualities, atmosphere, is used uniquely here to address this question, and to better understand the significance of this fascinating group. Uncovering their personalities, histories and architectural qualities, the reader is invited to take a journey of reflection and discovery, and to see through fresh eyes a set of spaces handed to us by the ancestors, that reside in and encapsulate our shared collective memories, and that have been there all along, hidden in plain sight and waiting for you, just one step away from the busy city streets.
Brief description: Billy Reading is Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas, Government Historic Estates.
Review Quotes:
'[This book] does more than just list or categorise them; it offers a lively and conversational tour that evokes the individual character of each sacred space, while gently urging the reader to go out and experience them in person. [...] What emerges is more than just a guide: it is also a social history of the City of London, told through its architecture. [...] The result is a book that's informative, enthusiastic, and deeply human - a true guide for the curious.' Hannah Phillip, Friends of Friendless Churches