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REVIEW BY MATTHEW CHAMPION
The history of the English parish church has long been of fascination to historians, buildings archaeologists, and the general public. As a result, the number of books on the subject published over the last two centuries reaches into the high hundreds. Therefore, any new book that attempts to tackle the subject really needs to be something different, to boast a new and novel approach, or to content itself with being consigned to the dusty upper shelves of the bookcase.
In this respect, Ziminski has something of an advantage. As an experienced stonemason he has actually worked on many of the buildings he writes about, and he brings the insight of a craftsman and the eye of a professional to even those he hasn’t personally worked on. He understands and learns from the buildings in front of him, and clearly has an affinity – and great affection – for the generations of craftsmen that came before him. He isn’t without criticism of the church-builders of the British Isles – the occasional dodgy timber, poor materials, and less than perfect stone- work – but when it does occur it is with an overt fondness and understanding; he’s been there too.
The book itself is generally arranged chronologically, but in short and easy-to-digest sections that give the impression of almost being musings taken direct from the author’s site notebook. It reads in some areas as if it was written as a ‘note to self’ while sitting somewhere in a chilly church, and though a few old myths are repeated, there are also a large number of insightful comments and observations between the covers.
Ziminski’s book isn’t an academic work. It isn’t going to be referenced multiple times in academic papers and articles, and if you are a buildings archaeologist or church specialist then this book isn’t going to tell you too many things that you didn’t already know – except that the author is an ally, with a similar passion for churches, and an eye for detail. It is indeed a chronicle of a decades-long love affair with English churches.
Church Going: A Stonemason’s Guide to the Churches of the British Isles
Andrew Ziminski
Profile Books, £25
ISBN 978-1800818682
