Robert Bell investigated church architecture over time and its relationship to societal changes.

Rob said our churches are often by far the oldest and largest buildings in our towns and villages and represented a huge expenditure when built. When we visit them, we take a trip back in history and can investigate what drove people to build them in the way they did.

He talked us through the changes in architectural and decoration styles from Anglo Saxon, through medieval gothic, and into the post reformation period. He showed many local examples.

Throughout the talk he explained how kings and church leaders interacted and imposed their own ideologies on the church architecture and decoration. The churches became their “authority in stone”.

Three churches Robert mentioned that are well worth a visit. They are the atmospheric Anglo Saxon Lastingham church crypt, the towering gothic church in Patrington dominating the plain of Holderness, and the story telling decorated interior of Pickering church, revealed when the post-reformation whitewash was removed.

The vote of thanks was given by Bro Rick Hudson.