Church Going cover art

Church Going

A Stonemason's Guide to the Churches of the British Isles

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Church Going

By: Andrew Ziminski
Narrated by: Andrew Ziminski
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About this listen

Churches are many things to us—they are places of worship, vibrant community hubs and oases of calm reflection. To know a church is to hold a key to the past that unlocks an understanding of our shared history.

Andrew Ziminski has spent decades as a stonemason and church conservator, acting as an informal guide to curious visitors. Church Going is his handbook to the medieval churches of the British Isles, in which he reveals their fascinating histories, features and furnishings, from flying buttresses to rood screens, lichgates to chancels.

'A joyous and illuminating exploration of our glorious heritage of old churches. A must for anyone who's ever stared at an apse or a misericord with no idea what they're looking at'—Sir Tony Robinson

'Captivating ... Brims with humour and humanity'—'Book of the Week', The Times

'There are few better means of discovering local history than from a parish church: Ziminski gives us a penetrating insight into the craftsmanship of the Middle Ages'—'50 Best Books of 2024', Telegraph

'Andrew Ziminski's books are treasure troves of lived and learned experience. They have changed the way I look at buildings and Britain'—Max Porter, author, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers

©2024 Andrew Ziminski (P)2025 W.F. Howes Ltd Architecture Art Library & Museum Studies Social Sciences Middle Ages

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All stars
Most relevant
It was great to hear this book read by the author, who does an amazing job of shedding light on those features that may not have made sense before to us modern listeners.

Shedding light on hidden treasures

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I enjoyed this so much. I thought I was quite well informed about churches and their history but this told me so much more about them and changes over time and regionally. Highly recommend

A fantastic listen

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This book takes a wonderfully affectionate look at British and Irish church buildings, discussing their quirks, eccentricities, individuality and points in common. The author's professional experience as a stonemason means he has a wealth of knowledge about the practicalities of building design, conservation and restoration, but he also has an obvious passion for churches, the landscape around them, and the people who have made (and continue to make) them what they are. It makes an incredibly refreshing change from books that look at church architecture in the context of very detailed explanations of political or liturgical influences on church design - instead it uses the author's knowledge of those factors but focuses on what the church visitor can see in front of them, and why you can see what you can see. It's accessible, friendly, and a joy to read.

A wonderful, affectionate look at some of our most beautiful national treasures

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I downloaded this book to listen to on a long train journey. It is part history lesson, part travelogue and guide book. The author speaks in very laid back style similar to Ray Brookes who narrated the UK 'Mr. Benn' children's TV cartoon series in the 1970s. The book is an informative and relaxing listen with lots of interesting anecdotes. The author clearly has a passion for what he does.

Interesting perspective on church architecture

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