INSTAGRAM - Just Churches

 

I have enjoyed wandering around old churches pretty much since I can remember and now in this age of digital photography have the additional pleasure, and challenge, of producing interesting images.

Living here in South Wiltshire I am spoilt for choice with dozens of towns and villages around me with their (mainly) picturesque offerings. I am particularly drawn to the staggering array of stained glass windows, from magnificent statement piece east windows, to small and ornate side windows which can often have a greater charm of their own. 

I created an INSTAGRAM account called Just Churches specifically to showcase those efforts, some samples of which I have uploaded below. 

I will usually add a very brief historical record and there lies an interesting pattern in itself. A very large proportion of our churches date from around the 12th Century on sites that had been places of worship for a long time previously - often back to Saxon times. Then there seems to be a very long gap until we reach the Victorian era, when there was a massive program of reconstruction and extension. I wonder just what state of repair they had fallen into to warrant such a universal effort over a relatively short period, or perhaps it was simply an ego competition amongst very wealthy neighbouring land owners?

To view Just Churches on Instagram CLICK HERE