A gracious touch of strangeness :What do Charles Spooner's Churches and surviving architectural drawings tell us about his ambitions as an artist, his intentions as an architect, and his beliefs both as a Christian and an Arts and Crafts practitioner?

Hamilton, Alexander Graham (2009) A gracious touch of strangeness :What do Charles Spooner's Churches and surviving architectural drawings tell us about his ambitions as an artist, his intentions as an architect, and his beliefs both as a Christian and an Arts and Crafts practitioner? Masters thesis, University of Gloucestershire.

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Abstract

This dissertation examines the church architecture and surviving architectural drawings of Charles Spooner in order to explore his artistic ambitions, architectural intentions, and beliefs as a Christian and an Arts & Crafts practitioner. It proposes that Spooner was a prime exemplar of the A&C ideal, and was at heart more 'A&C' than most - in his Christian Socialist instincts, his modesty and un-commercialism; inclination towards co-operation; delight in craftsmanship; unwaveringly 'hands-on' approach and deep understanding of materials; seriousness and profound practicality. It is suggested that, unusually among A&C architects, his works served the needs not of his ego or 'brand', but of the people who would use them. His belief, as an Anglican, that churches are for the glory of God and for the earthly needs of congregations, demonstrates the A&C vision of buildings as practical engines for social good: for Spooner, the House of God was an 'ideal home'. The reasons for his churches' great disparity from each other is considered in this light. The dissertation considers his career in two parts - his work before 1909, leading to appointment to the ICBS Consulting Architects Committee; and his work after. A final section places Spooner in the context of his political beliefs, and involvement with a Ruskinian utopia and the 'quiet life'. The study is essentially historical and descriptive in character, and buildings and documents are assessed as responses to both personal and cultural forces. Chapter 1 surveys the surviving records. Chapter 2 examines family and professional connections. Chapters 3 and 4 analyse his six ecclesiastical commissions before 1909, their political and artistic meanings and contemporary context. Chapter 5 deals with Spooner's reputation, through his church furnishings and lectures, and his work with the ICBS. Chapter 6 analyses the church work after 1909. Chapter 7 considers his activities on the public stage, in politics, business, and in his writings. Chapter 8 assesses the importance of his fugitive personality. Appendices survey the non­ecclesiastical architecture, and secular furniture. This study extends scholarship in A&C architectural history by examining a previously un-researched architect; and is one of very few to deal solely with any A&C architect's church architecture.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Church architecture; Charles Spooner
Related URLs:	Organisation
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > D History (General) D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain N Fine Arts > NA Architecture N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Creatives
Depositing User:	Anne Pengelly
Date Deposited:	26 May 2022 10:11
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:24
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/11142

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