Inside Pugin’s St Giles: The Gothic Revival Church That Stunned Victorian Britain
Step inside St Giles, Cheadle – Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin’s dazzling Gothic Revival Catholic church that stunned Victorian Britain. Completed in 1846, this “jewel box” interior is one of the most extraordinary expressions of Gothic Revival architecture in England.
In this film we explore how Pugin turned a small Staffordshire parish church into a total work of art. Every surface is transformed: glowing stained glass, hand-painted stencilling, encaustic Minton tiles, carved stone, gilding and medieval-inspired furnishings all combine into a single immersive vision of faith and colour.
We uncover the partnership between Pugin and his powerful Catholic patron, the Earl of Shrewsbury, in the wake of Catholic Emancipation, and show how St Giles became a manifesto for the Gothic Revival – influencing Victorian church design, foreshadowing the Arts and Crafts movement, and still astonishing visitors today.
Time Period:
19th century
Themes:
Dr Jonathan Foyle is quite obsessed by historic buildings. From an immersive career in conservation, research and curating, he is fortunate to have found ways to share many discoveries and insights into our ancestors’ experiences. He is an award-winning BBC broadcaster, writes regularly for the Financial Times Weekend, presents multi-media interpretations at fascinating historic sites, and has explained the wonders of the historic environment to audiences from America to Australia (but usually closer to Amersham). Author of two well-received monographs on cathedrals – Canterbury and Lincoln – he also draws a bit. You might come across him as Visiting Professor in Conservation at the University of Lincoln, or helping to bring old buildings to life as Director of the consultancy Built Heritage Ltd.
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