THE CHURCH BEAUTIFUL

A PracticalDiscussion of Church Architecture, by JohnR. Scotford 'II. Pilgrim Press, 1945, 161pages, $3.50.

This book will interest primarily ministers and building committees faced with the problem of building new churches or remodeling old ones. Architects, too, will find it valuable for its insights into the reactions of ministers and church-people to the buildings they design. But this is more than a book on church architecture—ministers and other church workers will find here a wealth of suggestions for improving their use of the equipment they already have. In addition to the discussion of every detail of auditorium and chancel, there are interesting and helpful chapters on such subjects as Church School rooms and equipment, social facilities, and devotional chapels. Others than ministers and church officials will enjoy the seventy-five splendid photographs, all but four of which were taken by the author, which illustrate every aspect of his discussion.

Dr. Scotford is himself a minister, having served Congregational churches in the South and Middle West, which enables him to write with authority from the ministerial point of view. Since 1931, first as a secretary of the Congregational Home Mission Boards, and more recently as editor of the Congregational publication, "Advance," he has visited and photographed a wide variety of churches throughout the country, and become increasingly consulted as a helpful counselor in problems of church architecture.

Alumni who are familiar with the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College will find here two pictures of the churchman interior view showing the chancel, and an exterior view of the portico and pillars. The "old-fashioned" window-glass and the choir-loft at the rear also receive mention in the text.