Overview

"Parish churches are England's glory. They enshrine the history of a people, most of whom have lived far from the capital, court and Parliament. These people - their art, architecture and faith - are seldom recorded or celebrated. The parish church is their public monument. Simon Jenkins has travelled the length and breadth of England to select his thousand best churches. They are of all periods and denominations, though most are mediaeval foundations. Organized by county, each church is described, often with delightful asides, and is given a star-rating from one to five. The four- and five-star churches are listed as the ""hundred best"". The county sections are prefaced by a map locating each church and illustrated with photographs by Paul Barker from the ""Country Life"" archive. These churches house a gallery of vernacular art without equal in the world. From the Norman grotesques of Kilpeck to the Quaker simplicity of Come-to-Good, from the painted saints of Ranworth to the mighty fan vault of Sherborne, from the rose Madonna of Willoughby to Sara Losh's Cumbrian homage to love, these works would rank in any national museum. Simon Jenkins has brought this museum, located in some of England's most beautiful places, to public attention and asks that we treasure it for the next millennium."

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9780140297959

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Reviews

'Masterly, perhaps a masterpiece' Independent Books of the Year

In the shadow of Betjeman, Pevsner and Clifton-Taylor, the former editor of theThe Times and Evening Standard set aside 4 years, and whittled down a shortlist of over 2000 churches to put together this 'catalogue' of what he sees as a great gallery of vernacular art. The Church of England is 'the true museum of England', and this book, a genuine labour of love, is much more than just a dry guidebook to architectural curiosities. Arranged by county from Bedfordshire to Yorkshire, with fine illustrations taken from the archives of Country Life, Jenkins's highly personal descriptions flesh out alphabetical listings of each noteworthy church, and each county section is introduced with a map. This hefty, nostalgic and rather peculiar book is successful then, in that it fulfils the author's purpose admirably - to encourage us to visit and in the process, revive interest in the 'nation's true glory'. He acknowledges that sustaining this remarkable inheritance in the face of dwindling congregations won't be easy, but he is not without hope. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Simon Jenkins writes for The Times and The London Evening Standard - both of which he has previously edited.

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