The Salem Churchscape (Paperback)

Less than half the buildings erected as places of worship in Salem County in the three centuries following initial settlement have survived. Many were razed when the congregation flourished and a larger building was required. A few burned down, and some were sold off and dismantled, carted away to be used in a barn or residence elsewhere. More than a few were simply abandoned and allowed to fall to pieces. This is an examination of what remains. It is an attempt to record and to interpret why the meetinghouses, churches and synagogues look the way they do. It has a lot to do with architecture and construction, but very little about religious beliefs; the social, economic and liturgical milieu of Salem County and their effect on architecture and construction are the real subjects of this book. All 50 of the survivors, including several that have been hauled away to other counties or adapted for other purposes are included here.