The Churches

Amazon.com
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.


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


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


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


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


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


Book 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.

FROM OUR EDITORS

From the soaring, delicate arches and stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris to the rock-hewn subterranean Beta Ghiorghis in Ethiopia, Churches is a dazzling tribute to houses of worship around the world. The cover of this beautiful, large-format book opens up like a set of doors, with hundreds of full-color photographs and captivating essays inside. An introductory interview with architect and professor Mario Botta, an expert on religious architecture, examines the emotional and spiritual nuances inherent in places of worship. A concise history is provided for each of the 60 selected churches, including details on the design and construction of the church and its significance. Some of the world's most famous historic cathedrals can be found within these pages, along with those designed by contemporary architects, such as Eero Saarinen's Kresge Chapel at MIT and Tadao Ando's serene Church on the Water in Japan. In-depth sections on topics such as the early Christian Church and the sacrament of baptism provide further background for interpreting the design and ornamentation of the churches. Filled with stunning photographs and inspiring essays, Churches is a volume to treasure.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Churches is a profound and lively overview of famous and lesser-known Christian churches throughout the world. Included are landmarks such as St. Peter's Basilica, Chartres Cathedral, the New Cathedral of St. Louis, and Trinity Church in New York City, as well as contemporary churches by modern masters such as Le Corbusier's chapel at Ronchamp, France; Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple in Chicago; and Philip Johnson's Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.

Judith Dupré brings them together in 65 essays illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs that range from classic vintage imagery to state-of-the-art digital technology. The book includes a spread of the restored ceiling at the Sistine Chapel; close-up views of Renaissance frescoes, sculpture, and mosaics; and powerfully simple images of Early American meetinghouses. With its engaging text, compelling photography, and inviting design, Churches presents a complex subject in a readily accessible format, making it a marvelous gift for people interested in religion, spirituality, and architecture.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly