Product Description

Humble or grand, wood or marble, churches have given physical shape to humanity's highest spiritual and artistic aspirations over the past twenty centuries. These structures not only stand as monuments to God, they also offer revealing testimony to humanity's immense potential and constant effort to understand, express, and honor the Divine.

Churches is a work of art that reflects the grandeur of its subject matter. In this compelling book, Judith Dupré, bestselling author of Skyscrapers and Bridges, presents an architectural tour of fifty-nine of the world's most enduring Christian churches, from such celebrated landmarks as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois., and Le Corbusier's Chapel at Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamp, France, to lesser-known masterpieces, including Huialoha Congregational Church on Maui and the Church on the Water in Hokkaido, Japan. Special theme essays cover the earliest Christian churches, the construction of Gothic cathedrals, the evolution of the baptismal font, churches designed by contemporary artists, and the revival of meditative labyrinth walking. With stunning imagery, fascinating essays, and an innovative design, this book is rich with factual detail and beautiful photography presented in an inviting, browsable format. Ms. Dupré offers a nuanced portrait of each structure, blending its architectural history with a deep appreciation for art and a reverence for religious traditions. Encompassing houses of worship from six major Christian denominations and all corners of the earth, Churches is a powerful chronology of faith and achievement that will inspire anyone interested in architecture, art, travel, religion, or photography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78293 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-01
• Released on: 2001-10-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780060194383
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
The physical dimensions alone would be enough to make Churches, Judith Dupre's sumptuous chronology of Christian art and architecture, one of the most absorbing ways possible to learn about the world's most beautiful houses of worship. It is almost too big to fit in your lap, and each brilliantly colored page is almost three times the width of a human head. In addition, Churches offers floor plans, histories, and theological interpretations of almost 60 churches around the world, from the Pantheon in Rome to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Interspersed with these chapters are photographic essays on such topics as "Building a Gothic Cathedral" and "Ancient Paths: Contemporary Labyrinths." All of the images and essays are presented in a format accessible to the general reader. Those more broadly informed about architecture will be drawn to the interview with Swiss-Italian architect Mario Botta--his first in-depth interview published in English. In the end, the book's most amazing accomplishment is to provide readers with sensations that approximate both the grandeur and the intimacy of visiting the churches it depicts. --Michael Joseph Gross

From Publishers Weekly
Entitled simply Churches, Judith Dupr‚'s unique coffee-table book features stunning full-color photography of some of the world's most recognizable churches. The book highlights some of the oldest Christian houses of worship, such as Jerusalem's Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, and more recent additions, such as California's Crystal Cathedral and the MIT Chapel. The photography is simply first-rate.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review
For me, this book was virtually surrounded by miracles. -- Dave Brussat, The Providence Journal Bulletin, November 8, 2001

Judith Dupre’s Churches is the book for you. . . . a profusion of fascinating facts and beautiful photography. -- Patricia Dane Rogers, The Washington Post, December 13, 2001

Magisterial, meticulously researched, and handsomely illustrated. -- Oprah Magazine, December 2001

One of the most beautiful art books ...quality book that you would expect to pay twice as much for. -- Frederick M. Winship, United Press International, October 18, 2001

Stunning imagery, fascinating essays, and an innovative design, Dupre offers a nuanced portrait of each structure... -- Associated Church Press, November 2001

Customer Reviews

Opening the Door to the History of Churches
As like Judith Dupre's other books on architecture, the physical form immediately connects you to the subject matter: "Churches" opens in the center like an ancient tabernacle, and begins it's display of remarkabley picked photos of the world's most important historic churches accompanied by a finely researched text comparable to Dupre's other literary landmarks for architecture. Each page also contains famous quotes, important first-glance facts, and a delicate strip of passages from the bible leading from one page to the next. Begining with the Pantheon, the book's historic churches are contrasted by contemporary works by architects such as Ando, Pelli, Johnson, Fay Jones, Siza, Legoretta, etc. Many of the photos themselves are historical, such as the oldest known view of Wall Street, or the opening day of the second Vatican council, to the first IKONOS image of St. Peter's Square taken 400 miles above earth. And so these extraordinary images are accompanied by fascinating stories and facts that immerse you into the voyage of humanity's unending quest in making the house of worship. "Churches" also opens with the first in-depth English interview that Mario Botta, a preeminent church-builder in Europe, has ever given. From the cover, to the endpapers, to the center's two-page lay-out of the restored Sistine Ceiling, the book is a joy to handle, and every page a joy to turn as you enter into an informative and visual journey of history's most fascinating places of worship. Thank you Ms. Dupre'!

Would give it a 10!
This is a superb, very large (in both scope and physical size) work that covers the history, architecture, and social aspects of major world churches. From small chapels to huge cathdrals, this book is an explosion of color and information. Especially helpful are the "data-lines" at the bottom of each church's section, giving an 'at-a-glance' view of designer, years constructed, congregation/denomination served, etc. This book is worth the money for the lavish pictures alone. If sacred buildings call to you, then this book is for you. You'll really enjoy it.

Opening the "doors" to Churches is rewarding!
The cover design is a vital clue to the treasure that lies within. Judith Dupre held my interest with her essays in Skyscrapers and Bridges. But, I'm enthralled with the layers of information she offers in Churches.
Her switch to color photography is appropriate for the subject. How else could we appreciate the golden glow of the mosaics in Venice's Basilica San Marco or the colorful mosaics in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis?
I'm intrigued by the choices for inclusion and am left wishing I knew about the ones that didn't make the cut.
My favorite touch -- the ticker of biblical prose and poetry running from page to page across the top edge.
My Christmas shopping is going to be very easy this year!