Building the Modern Church

Dr Robert Proctor is Senior Lecturer on Architectural History & Theory at the University of Bath, UK.

• Contents: Introduction; Tradition; Modern church architecture; Forms of modernism; Modern church art; Modernism and the liturgical movement; Liturgical change; Devotion; Ritual and community; The church and the world; Conclusion; Plans; Bibliography; Index.

’Robert Proctor’s book is a magisterial study of a vitally important topic: Roman Catholic church architecture in Britain during the period of upheaval, 1955-1975. Showing how architectural and liturgical developments became adopted in the specific context of Britain, Proctor gives fine-grained discussion of particular communities, and deeply impressive knowledge of the roles played by architects. ... This is a highly significant study; it will be the authoritative source on this subject.' Richard Kieckhefer, Northwestern University, USA 'Proctor’s own excellent photographs appear on almost every page, and his book concludes with plans and colour plates. It is likely to become the bible for all professionals in the field of church design for some time to come.' Timothy Brittain-Catlin,The Tablet 'Proctor’s investigations are underpinned by key questions regarding how communities understood and nurtured new ways of expressing Roman Catholic identity, and the book’s primary strength is its consistent and compelling interweaving of architectural and religious debates into a cohesive yet diverse and sometimes contradictory whole'. The Architectural Review 'RC churches identified with modernity as part of the post-war civic structure. For the firsdt time, churches were on prominent sites rather than tucked down back streets, and usually contained high quality artworks and stained glass. As EH’s ’Taking Stock’ assessment of RC Churches raises awareness of this previously neglected aspect of post-war church building, this book will be an essential underpinning to this story'. C20 Magazine 'The book is clearly written, avoiding professional jargon (whether ecclesiastical or architectural), and is well illustrated with black and white and (fewer) colour plates. There is also a useful series of plans. This is an indispensable guide for all those interested in a hitherto little-regarded but extraordinarily rich subject'. Context 'The real strength of this bo