Described by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as 'the most splendid demonstration of the renaissance of Roman Catholicism in England', the Neo-Gothic church at Downside Abbey, Somerset, was built between the 1880s and the 1930s under the direction of some of the country's most renowned ecclesiastical architects. This elegant new book reviews the history and construction of this magnificent building, designed to rival the scale of England's great medieval Gothic cathedrals. Contributions by distinguished architectural historians explore, among other subjects, Thomas Garner's majestic choir, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's soaring nave and the exquisitely redesigned Lady chapel of Sir Ninian Comper. Generously illustrated throughout with drawings, plans, archival photography and dramatic new images by Paul Barker, one of the UK's pre-eminent architectural photographers, Downside Abbey is an absorbing account of a remarkable place of worship.

Author Biography

Paul Barker is a leading architectural photographer. His work is regularly featured in a variety of magazines, and has appeared in several books. He works regularly with English Heritage and the Landmark Trust. Dom Aidan Bellenger is Abbot of Downside Abbey, Somerset, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He has lectured on medieval history at several British universities and is the author of numerous historical studies.