Book Description
With nearly six hundred photographs and drawings of more than one hundred churches and chapels throughout Europe, this elegantly designed volume presents a panoramic examination of church building in post World War II Europe. For the first time since the nineteenth century, the design and construction of houses of worship has resurfaced as a major focus in contemporary architecture and this stunning volume shows why. From England, Scotland and Ireland to Italy, Portugal, and Spain, throughout Scandinavia and including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the churches studied here illustrate the many ways religious sentiment lends itself to the architectural discipline. The range of artistry is equally vast, featuring works by Alvar Aalto, Mario Botta, Egon Eiermann, Le Corbusier, Carlo Scarpa, Rudolf Schwarz, Alvaro Siza, Heinz Tesar, Aldo Van Eyck and Peter Zumthor. In addition, essays by respected architectural historians as well as prominent theologians discuss the variety of ecclesiastical buildings as well as how the church is viewed both from a Roman Catholic and Protestant perspective. Students of religion and architecture alike will find much to learn from and admire in this unique and richly illustrated book.

From the Publisher
Essays by Friedrich Achleitner, Fabrizio Brentini, Marc Dubois, Winfried Nerdinger, Riitta Nikula, Wolfgang Pehnt and Gabriele Schickel

About the Author
Wolfgang Jean Stock is a historian and works as a freelance journalist and publisher in Munich. He writes primarily on the subjects of architecture, town planning, preservation of monuments and public art.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The most outstanding achievements in modern church building in the second half of the twentieth century are documented in this beautifully designed and fully illustrated new book. Over 140 churches and chapels from 14 countries are introduced through essays by prominent theologians who discuss the transformation of the image of the Church in two great Christian faiths.

SYNOPSIS

With nearly six hundred photographs and drawings of more than one hundred churches and chapels throughout Europe, this elegantly designed volume presents a panoramic examination of church building in post World War II Europe. For the first time since the nineteenth century, the design and construction of houses of worship has resurfaced as a major focus in contemporary architecture and this stunning volume shows why.

From England, Scotland and Ireland to Italy, Portugal, and Spain, throughout Scandinavia and including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the churches studied here illustrate the many ways religious sentiment lends itself to the architectural discipline. The range of artistry is equally vast, featuring works by Alvar Aalto, Mario Botta, Egon Eiermann, Le Corbusier, Carlo Scarpa, Rudolf Schwarz, Alvaro Siza, Heinz Tesar, Aldo Van Eyck and Peter Zumthor. In addition, essays by respected architectural historians as well as prominent theologians discuss the variety of ecclesiastical buildings as well as how the church is viewed both from a Roman Catholic and Protestant perspective. Students of religion and architecture alike will find much to learn from and admire in this unique and richly illustrated book.