The great 19th century boom in church building, spurred by population growth and new religious movements, was already under way whan Victoria became queen in 1837, and it continued until the first world war. The vitality of church design during her reign can only be compared to that during the period of church building between 1150 and 1500. Many important architects like Pugin, Butterfield, Street, Waterhouse and Bodley were involved. The influence of English Decorated Gothic and North European Gothic was especially strong, but there was immense variety and the Romanesque, Byzantine, Classical and Renaissance styles were also much in evidence. This illustrated guide to Victorian churches in England, Scotland and Wales is arranged alphabetically by names of places and covers over 600 churches by some 200 architects whose works are listed at the end. It consists of contributions from 27 different members of the Victorian Society.
