London churches
This course has now started
Course Code: VB762
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The course will focus on a series of visits to several London churches and sacred spaces where we will look at and consider the various important elements which make up a church and religious space. We will consider how the architectural space, along with the art, ornaments and decoration, enhance and reflect the religious aspect of the buildings.
Discover the stories, legends and patronage associate with many churches sacred spaces.
Meeting points will be emailed to you within a week of the first session.
**Please note, this course covers different churches to those covered in VB748: London Churches (scheduled for Autumn 2022). You may wish to enrol in both courses.
What will we cover?
• How churches have been built through the ages and the function of their elements
• The function and role of architectural space and religious decoration
• How to read stained glass and other ornamentation.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify at least five elements which contribute to the construction and the role of the church through the ages. What previous students have achieved on this course:
• Describe the function and role of architectural space and religious decoration.
• Analyse stained glass and other ornamentation.
“A much wider and deeper knowledge of church architecture and art.”
“I have a greater understanding of ecclesiastical architecture.”
“I have learned a lot about the churches of London that I had not known before.”
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is open to all. No prior knowledge is required other than a general interest in art and design
You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, hand-outs and health and safety information.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with guided visits and discussions.
Museum/gallery-based courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between galleries), you will need to be able to walk between exhibits and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to any gallery stools.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in the museum space.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Some churches have an additional entrance charge (e.g. £3.00 to The Priory Church of Saint Bartholomew the Great).
You may want to wear comfortable shoes for walking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Art in medieval England
Manuscripts and Ilumination
An introduction to medieval art and architecture.
Richard Plant is an architectural historian and lecturer specialising in the Middle Ages with a strong interest in the modern. He studied English Literature at Cambridge before going on to do his MA and then PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Since then, he has specialised in the architectural history of the Middle Ages, teaching at the Courtauld as well as UCL and Queen Mary University, London. He was Deputy Academic Director at Christie’s Education and has published on English and German architecture.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.