Churches [Hardcover]

Judith Dupre (Author), Mario Botta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2001

With stunning colour photographs and lively, informative text, Churches tells the fascinating stories of 65 houses of worship from six major denominations. From the gilded halls of St. Peter's Basilica to the rustic beauty of St. Francisco de Asis in New Mexico, each essay illuminates the unique historical, spiritual, and architectural significance of its church, while the volume as a whole traces our everchanging conceptions of the sacred. This luxurious book is a powerful account of faith and achievement that will inspire anyone who loves churches, art, or history.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The physical dimensions alone would be enough to make Churches, Judith Dupre's sumptuous chronology of Christian art and architecture, one of the most absorbing ways possible to learn about the world's most beautiful houses of worship. It is almost too big to fit in your lap, and each brilliantly colored page is almost three times the width of a human head. In addition, Churches offers floor plans, histories, and theological interpretations of almost 60 churches around the world, from the Pantheon in Rome to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Interspersed with these chapters are photographic essays on such topics as "Building a Gothic Cathedral" and "Ancient Paths: Contemporary Labyrinths." All of the images and essays are presented in a format accessible to the general reader. Those more broadly informed about architecture will be drawn to the interview with Swiss-Italian architect Mario Botta--his first in-depth interview published in English. In the end, the book's most amazing accomplishment is to provide readers with sensations that approximate both the grandeur and the intimacy of visiting the churches it depicts. --Michael Joseph Gross

From Publishers Weekly

Entitled simply Churches, Judith Dupr‚'s unique coffee-table book features stunning full-color photography of some of the world's most recognizable churches. The book highlights some of the oldest Christian houses of worship, such as Jerusalem's Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, and more recent additions, such as California's Crystal Cathedral and the MIT Chapel. The photography is simply first-rate.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (October 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060194383
• ISBN-13: 978-0060194383
• Product Dimensions: 16.4 x 12.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judith Dupré has written several works of illustrated nonfiction that have been translated into ten languages, including Churches (2001), a New York Times bestseller. She is also the author of several titles for young adults and children. Her newest book, Full of Grace: Encountering Mary in Faith, Art & Life, offers a twist on this popular subject, taking the reader inside the Virgin Mary's world in ancient Palestine and showing, equally, how thoroughly she inhabits our own, 21st-century experiences. A Rhode Island native, Judith studied art and literature at Brown University. Currently, she is at Yale University doing advanced studies on the ways time, memory, and beauty lend meaning to life.

Also visit: www.judithdupre.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opening the Door to the History of Churches, November 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Churches (Hardcover)

As like Judith Dupre's other books on architecture, the physical form immediately connects you to the subject matter: "Churches" opens in the center like an ancient tabernacle, and begins it's display of remarkabley picked photos of the world's most important historic churches accompanied by a finely researched text comparable to Dupre's other literary landmarks for architecture. Each page also contains famous quotes, important first-glance facts, and a delicate strip of passages from the bible leading from one page to the next. Begining with the Pantheon, the book's historic churches are contrasted by contemporary works by architects such as Ando, Pelli, Johnson, Fay Jones, Siza, Legoretta, etc. Many of the photos themselves are historical, such as the oldest known view of Wall Street, or the opening day of the second Vatican council, to the first IKONOS image of St. Peter's Square taken 400 miles above earth. And so these extraordinary images are accompanied by fascinating stories and facts that immerse you into the voyage of humanity's unending quest in making the house of worship. "Churches" also opens with the first in-depth English interview that Mario Botta, a preeminent church-builder in Europe, has ever given. From the cover, to the endpapers, to the center's two-page lay-out of the restored Sistine Ceiling, the book is a joy to handle, and every page a joy to turn as you enter into an informative and visual journey of history's most fascinating places of worship. Thank you Ms. Dupre'!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Would give it a 10!, December 26, 2001

By 

J. Walker "kindrhino1" (Marietta, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Churches (Hardcover)

This is a superb, very large (in both scope and physical size) work that covers the history, architecture, and social aspects of major world churches. From small chapels to huge cathdrals, this book is an explosion of color and information. Especially helpful are the "data-lines" at the bottom of each church's section, giving an 'at-a-glance' view of designer, years constructed, congregation/denomination served, etc. This book is worth the money for the lavish pictures alone. If sacred buildings call to you, then this book is for you. You'll really enjoy it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opening the "doors" to Churches is rewarding!, October 24, 2001

By 

Deborah Horn (Fenton, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Churches (Hardcover)

The cover design is a vital clue to the treasure that lies within. Judith Dupre held my interest with her essays in Skyscrapers and Bridges. But, I'm enthralled with the layers of information she offers in Churches.
Her switch to color photography is appropriate for the subject. How else could we appreciate the golden glow of the mosaics in Venice's Basilica San Marco or the colorful mosaics in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis?
I'm intrigued by the choices for inclusion and am left wishing I knew about the ones that didn't make the cut.
My favorite touch -- the ticker of biblical prose and poetry running from page to page across the top edge.
My Christmas shopping is going to be very easy this year!