Thread by @MikeStuchbery_

This is a thread on how to 'read’ a church, and just how fascinating they become when you know how. It's just an introduction, but hopefully it's enough to get you exploring. /1

I first became interested in churches - particularly medieval ones - as a small boy, when being taken around Europe. I was transfixed by these strange, candlelit spaces, with their fragrant incense and vivid imagery. /2

As an adult, I got to travel more, and wherever I went, I studied the churches I came across. I even got involved with charities involved with church conservation - that's how obsessed I became. /3

Here's why - a church is a 'map of the universe'. For our ancestors especially, they were a way of making sense of a world filled with war, disease, hunger and sudden death. For millions, they represented a way out of the darkness. /4

Let's look at your average medieval church, of the kind found in many villages across Europe. Aligned on an East-West access, the altar faces the morning sun, where Jesus was said to be coming from on the Day of Judgement. /5

Walking inside, the great body of the church, where people sit is called the NAVE - from the Latin 'navis’, or ship. It feels that way, people travelling together, facing a common direction. /6

In early days, and right up into the Middle Ages, there were often no seats in the NAVE. It would have been an open space where people sat or stood. Indeed, secular events often happened in the nave. It was, in a way, a world in miniature. /7

As time progressed, some sought to be buried in the NAVE, hoping for a better chance at salvation, and not a little mortal cred among their peers. They were prepared to pay, and churches were only too happy to oblige. Even in the House of God, money talks. /8

Crossing the nave, and separating it from what it called the CHANCEL is the TRANSEPT. Often found in the two 'wings’ are shrines. As the Middle Ages progressed, these were often dedicated to the Virgin Mary, or sponsored by a wealthy benefactor in the name of a saint. /9

The CHANCEL used to stand behind what was sometimes called a ROOD SCREEN. Sometimes these were vividly painted with saints - these are from St Helen's at Tamworth, Norfolk England. They acted  as a physical and spiritual barrier against the layfolk. /10

The CHANCEL itself - considered a holy space - is where the priests would say Mass and perform their rites at the ALTAR. Behind the altar was often an ALTARPIECE, depicting Biblical scenes. /1

Again, if you had money, you could commission an ALTARPIECE that featured Biblical scenes - and maybe a cheeky portrait of yourself somewhere. Today, perhaps the most famous of these is the Ghent Altarpiece in Belgium. /12

While ceremonies would often only take in the CHANCEL, as churches got bigger, a PULPIT would be built - a raised platform from which sermons could be delivered. These were often beautifully carved, again with saints or Biblical scenes. /13

The FONT, a basin in which holy water is stored for baptism, would often be towards the back of the church, part of the NAVE. This placement was very much in keeping with the idea of baptism as an induction into a community of faith. /14

The first churches didn't have many WINDOWS,  only small openings to the outside. As time progressed artisans began to create beautiful stained-glass windows - often at great expense - to show Bible stories. /15

I keep coming back to things in the church showing Bible stories. That's because, for centuries, churches were dealing with congregations that could neither read or write. These artworks were the only way of permanent imparting the lessons and core tenets of the faith. /16

WALL PAINTINGS - in particular DOOM PAINTINGS, showing the Day of Judgement, were over the chancel, reminded of the consequences of sin & blessings of heaven. In fact most churches were painted throughout with imagery. This is at St Peter's Wenhaston, Suffolk, England.
/17

Here, have some more wall paintings from churches. /17a

The whole idea was to make congregations feel part of a whole, with clear directions on how to live and how to die. Certainty and clear guidance on the pitfalls and obstacles of life was key. God was represented on Earth by the Church, they carried out his will. /18

The Protestant Reformation would cause massive changes in Church doctrine, and even how churches themselves were used, but that's another thread. Even so, many churches dating from the Middle Ages still retain the basic form and structure I've outlined. /19

It's not all stern doctrine though - some churches often have graffiti, consisting of carvings on walls and pillars. These include pictures, messages and apotropaic marks, designed to ward of evil spirits. We can sort of hear the voices of the 'common follk’ in these. /20

Incidentally if you're interested in medieval church graffiri, follow @medievalg - this is his life! /21a

There's a lot more that can be said about ‘reading’ churches and understanding their use, and perhaps if there are questions. This, however, should give you some good pointers to start exploring. /22

If this is something you're interested in, follow @TheCCT - an English charity dedicated to preserving historic churches that no longer have a congregation. They do some amazing work helping to interpret these spaces to a wider audience. /23

Also give @ExploreChurches, @NatChurchTrust, @FriendsChurches and @ChurchesFest - all groups working to save medieval churches from the ravages of time.

If there's any interest, I can also do a thread on the various architectural styles you're likely to find in churches, or even churches that have different shapes and forms

God knows I like to hear myself talk! /24

Hope you enjoyed that! Churches really are a reflection of the ways in which we yearn for a sense of order and peace in a pretty crazy universe, and I hope that I've inspired some of you to engage with them. /FIN

PS. If anyone wants to have me go around and do tours of old churches and jabber excitedly, give me a call! How about a book? All offers considered!