How to Read a Church

Churches and cathedrals play an essential part in our heritage. As community-centred places of worship and as important tourist attractions, they are visited by millions of people each year. But churches were originally built to be read, and so are packed with images, symbols and meanings that often need explanation. This book will unlock all the treasures they contain. Described by Christopher Howse in the Daily Telegraph as 'a handy crash course in church literacy', the first edition of this unique and accessible guide to the common symbols and meanings in church art and architecture became a bestseller on first publication. Now this fascinating and lively book is available in a new illustrated edition. Over 100 stunning colour photographs represent the very best in church architecture - from paintings, fonts and altars, to pew ends, choir stalls and stained glass windows. It is the ultimate reference for anybody who wants to know more about what they see in a church or cathedral from the significance of church layouts, the symbolism of key scenes and the importance of details, to the use of colours and letters.

Richard Taylor was born in 1967. He studied English at Cambridge University and Law at London University, and now lives and works as a lawyer in Sheffield. He has lectured on Christian symbolism to people of many faiths and those of none. He is the presenter of the acclaimed BBC TV series Churches: How to Read Them, inspired by this book.