The Old Rectory : The Story of the English Parsonage

This is a comprehensive survey of the social, historical and architectural importance of the English parsonage and its future. Traditional English rectories and vicarages, sold out of service by the Church, have become uniquely desirable to property buyers and are now cherished by their new private owners. They combine many coveted qualities: their fine architecture, their air of civilization, their charm and character, the traditional values and quality of essential 'Englishness' which they evoke; their large gardens and often splendidly rural locations. Despite their historical, social and architectural importance, there is no comprehensive book about them currently in print. This book examines the place of rectories and vicarages in the history of the Church and of this country, and traces their evolution through the centuries. It looks at their many and varied styles of architecture, profiling some individual houses and highlighting some of the most architecturally outstanding and interesting ones. It is handsomely illustrated with quality color and black-and-white photographs. Although rectories and vicarages have had their ups and downs throughout history, the period from the early twentieth century to the present day has posed perhaps the greatest challenge: why, if they are so desirable, has the Church been selling off its finest houses? "The Old Rectory" examines the contribution to our culture made by the clerical families who occupied these houses, and looks at some of the famous people (and eccentrics) who have been associated with them. Pevsner described the pairing of church and parsonage as a feature of the English village unparalleled on the Continent. John Betjeman saw the design of rectories and vicarages as highly influential on our architecture. Forsaken by the Church but coveted by the private buyer, this is the story of these quintessentially English houses, with their combination of fine architecture, charm and character, large gardens and often splendidly rural locations. The Old Rectory examines their history, their evolution through the centuries, their many and varied styles of architecture, and their place in our heritage. It also explores the contribution made to our culture by the clerical families who once occupied these houses, and the famous people and eccentrics who have been associated with them. Finally, it considers their current role, and what the future might hold. Presents a comprehensive survey of the social, historical and architectural importance of the English parsonage and its future. This book examines the place of rectories and vicarages in the history of the Church and of this country, and traces their evolution through the centuries. Examines The Social, Historical And Architectural Importance Of The English Parsonage And Looks At Its Future. Anthony Jennings. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 261-264) And Indexes.