Unlocking the Church

Book at Lunchtime, Unlocking the Church In Unlocking the Church,
William Whyte explores a forgotten revolution in social and
architectural history and in the history of the Church. He details
the architectural and theological debates of the day, explaining
how the Tractarians of Oxford and the Ecclesiologists of Cambridge
were embroiled in the aesthetics of architecture, and how the
Victorians profoundly changed the ways in which buildings were
understood and experienced. No longer mere receptacles for worship,
churches became active agents in their own rights, capable of
conveying theological ideas and designed to shape people's
emotions. These church buildings are now a challenge: their
maintenance, repair or repurposing are pressing problems for
parishes in age of declining attendance and dwindling funds. By
understanding their past, unlocking the secrets of their space,
there might be answers in how to deal with the legacy of the
Victorians now and into the future. William Whyte (History,
University of Oxford) joins an expert panel to discuss the book and
its themes: Dan Hicks (Archeology, University of Oxford) Julia
Smith (History, University of Oxford) Chairing the event
was Mark Chapman (Theology, University of Oxford)