Charming Churches

The Churches Conservation Trust is the principal organization in England caring for those churches which are no longer required for regular worship by the Church of England, but which nonetheless are a priceless part of the nation's history, ranging in date from Saxon to late Victorian. The Trust now conserves and promotes over 340 churches and the number grows each year. In addition to keeping the structures and their furnishings in good condition, it is a priority of the Trust that its churches should be well presented and readily accessible to the public, usually on a daily basis throughout the year without charge. The Trust has churches in cities and towns but the typical Trust church is in a small village or stands quite alone in some remote and beautiful location. Because of this the churches were largely untouched by the restorers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and retain wonderfully atmospheric interiors reflecting society in centuries past.

This celebration of some of the greatest art, architecture and furniture to be found in English churches offers a fascinating account of centuries of accumulated wealth, and is set off by a selection of breathtaking photographs by Matthew Byrne. It covers changing architectural styles across the centuries, and prominent examples of artistic work, including stained glass, rood screens, church monuments and curious carvings. This book is published in association with The National Churches Trust, a national, independent charity dedicated to supporting church buildings across the UK.