Sacred Space and Structural Style: The Embodiment of Socio-Religious Ideology

Stephen Fai is an assistant professor in the School of Architecture at
Carleton University.

If you set out to study the history of architectural theory, it is
unlikely that 19th-century Canada would be the first place you would
look. Vicki Bennett shows us why it is important to challenge such
academic prejudice. Following a concise introduction to the complex
discussion of Gothic architecture that took place in the 19th century,
we are presented with a regional history rich with physical examples of
competing international arguments. The source of this regional history
is the Ottawa Valley. Bennett illustrates the changing function and
value of religious architecture during the development of central Canada
in a study that examines this architecture’s theological, political,
and economic trends. In considering the architectural debate over the
Gothic style within a wider social nexus, the author has produced a book
that is valuable to scholars working in the history and theory of
architecture, in the sociology of religion, and in Canadian studies.

Sacred Space and Structural Style examines church buildings undertaken
by the five prominent Christian denominations in the Ottawa Valley
during the 19th century. Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and
Roman Catholic architectural projects are presented chronologically in
the context of regional, national, and international concerns. At the
beginning of the 19th century, the primary concern of the settlers of
central Canada was survival. By midcentury, growing prosperity allowed
the various Christian denominations to explore the more sublime
qualities of their religion. This fuelled a latent desire for religious
expression through architecture. As it turned out, church buildings were
not only a worthy expression of Christian piety, they were also valuable
in the competition for new members and public funding. The increasing
influence of an international theological debate can be seen in the
various adaptations of the Gothic style in the construction of these
church buildings.

Some familiarity with architectural terminology (or a good
architectural dictionary) is necessary to get the most out of this book.
More illustrations, particularly “typical” drawings, would have been
helpful in delineating the stylistic differences being discussed. A
companion volume that includes more general illustrations and the data
outlined in Appendix I would certainly clear up this minor shortcoming.
In the mean time, Sacred Space and Structural Style is worth the bit of
extra homework.