David Gray's pictures of the week 12-11-2007

DAVID GRAY photography
	B R I G H T O N C H U R C H E S
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The picture set this week takes a look at Brighton churches. This is a subject needing lots of sets to cover at all adequately, so the pictures here, taken between 1991 and 2004, are just a taster, showing details from ten of the many churches in the city. Considering that Brighton is such a godless place, devoted as it is to so many secular pleasures, it is surprisingly blessed with a fantastic variety of fine church buildings. With just two per cent of the local population now reported to go to church at all, several of these buildings are no longer places of worship and many more are facing closure by the Church of England. St Peter's, designed by Charles Barry and Brighton's most prominent church, is likely to be shut within a year and its future use is unknown. Churches without churchgoers cannot carry on as they did, but it is still a great shame to see them close their doors. Such closures can easily become yet another erosion of the public realm, the communally shared space essential to civilised urban society. Brighton's churches are great public spaces, so visit them while you can.

Looking up inside the huge interior of St Bartholomew's in March 2004 (image 2499-97)

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