Notes from reading a beautiful book

Thoughts sparked by reading 'Arts and Crafts Churches of Great Britain' by Roger Button (2020)

I am interested that a lot of these churches appear to have been built in rural or 'remote' locations (remote from large cities). The exceptions are Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester. I wonder whether this is because the UK is jam packed full of churches already (here I am thinking of examples such as the City of London). Churches need rich benefactors who tend to live on estates.  Also Beautiful churches are often given beautiful locations.

The design of all these churches is refreshing and vibrate.  I am interested by the idea that Mackintosh may have been able to think more creatively because of Aspergers. I am guessing that this has been talked about so little because of the stigma that still surrounds autism. I wonder if Mackintosh was able to avoid subconscious bias presented by current cultural prejudiced and stereotypes?

Light in a age just before electricity was switched on is also interesting.  I have been looking at the large variety of windows in these buildings.  However St Andrews Roker appears to have embraced electricity with the light appearing as the sun in the sky.  This must be unique?

Let there be light- St Andrews, Roker

Does Queen's Cross look as if it were inspired by  All Saints Merriott, Somerset?

All Saints, Merriott

Queens Cross, Glasgow

I like the comparison.

Byzantine treasure beside a busy road.
From the outside small clues give away that this is a treasure.
Was it inspired by St Irene?  When Lethaby and Barnsley went on their gap year the building might have been in use? (Ah yes, I see the note note.  It was a mosque for 400 years.) Comparing the interior is more challenging because the church in Lower Kingwood has furniture!
I liked the idea that the window was for Rome, the interior was from Istanbul and the bell tower was from Bulgaria, (a bit like the clothes of the English suitor in Merchants of Venice, who's clothes were were a mishmash of styles from around Europe.)

St Irene- Istanbul

Jesus Christ and the Wisdom of God

The Bell Tower

But what about St Mary's Church Wreay?
This also has a byzantine feel?

The chancel at Wreay

Interesting 'lights' in the eves above the west door.

The font

The unassuming? exterior.

The 'give away' that something extraordinary
 is going on inside.

What about John Cyril Hawes? - later Father Jerome, the hermit of Cat Island, The Bahamas.
His story is amazing.  To me it is the strange shape of St Christopher Gunnerton or Chollerton? that gives away that something extraordinary is going on inside.  What he designed when in Australia seems quite a different brief.

Mary Seton Watts, Cromptom Cemetary- when I see the ceiling I am reminded of  Ethiopian church ceilings?  Is there any connection?

Crompton Cemetary

Ethiopian Church Ceiling

All Saints Brockhampton chancel reminds me of the church my father-in-law was once priest of.
What do you think?

St Gregory, Kirknewton

All Saints, Brockhampton

It's very interesting to hear why churches are described by the compass in Scotland, and by tradition in England and Wales.

It's also interesting to learn about the now defunct denomination of the Catholic Apostolic Church.

Kirkandrew, Borgue

St Mary's, Pipewell

Bellcote from St MAry's

Detail from the door

I cycled past the church of St Mary Pipewell in Northamptonshire and it reminded me of Kirkandrew.  However I can find very little about it on the internet.  It is linked to an old Cistercian Abbey.