A Guide to London's Churches

Book by Blatch, Mervyn

Although the subject of London churches may have limited appeal, Blatch's new edition of his 1978 guide is an intriguing compendium of church history, architecture, and associations. Blatch details more than 140 of London's Anglican churches?not all of London's churches, certainly, providing a concise, comprehensive guide for those who would explore a fascinating part of one of the world's great cities. Readers will note that Benedict Arnold is buried in St. Mary's, Battersea, while St. Ethelburga-the-Virgin within Bishopsgate takes pride of place as the smallest church (only 56 feet long) in the city. Maps pinpoint church locations, and each entry includes the dedication, history, comments on the exterior, and so on. Few of the churches qualify as ancient (much of medieval London was destroyed by the Great Fire), so many buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries. The book is organized by districts. The index is limited to church names, and a glossary is included, along with a brief history of the City of London and its churches. Like the buildings themselves, this is a gem. Recommended for public libraries.?Janet Ross, Sparks Branch Lib., Neb.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.