laudable Practice

DS: "In the 18th century, if you were part of the Virginian gentry, your Anglicanism was very austere and restrained." TH: "I like that in Anglicanism." In a recent episode of The Rest is History , discussing George Washington, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland sounded as if they were recruiting for the ' New Georgians '. An 'austere, restrained Anglicanism', after all, could very well act as a summary for that which New Georgians seek. It is a description which brings to mind places that the New Georgian soul will cherish. Places like The Middle Church , in the heart of Jeremy Taylor country. Old St Stephen's, Fylingdales , North Yorkshire. St David's, Manordeifi , Pembrokeshire.  St Andrew the Apostle's, Bayvil , Pembrokeshire. Pohick Church , Virginia. Old Wye Church , Maryland. Christ Church, Lancaster , Virginia. Old Trinity Church on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  Old St. Edward's Church , Clementsport, Nova Scotia.  Old Holy T...

Something of a tradition has emerged on Laudable Practice of marking the early May Bank Holiday with a reflection related to Georgian church interiors. While this holiday has other connotations, I enjoy it as quiet celebration of Spring, before the louder, garish days of Summer arrive. There is something about late Spring - its gentle light, the modest warmth after Winter, the fresh greenery of these days - which, I think, is reflected in the interior of Georgian churches. This May Day, I am prompted to address the 'New Georgians' - yes, in the words of the well-known meme, 'There are dozens of us. Dozens!'. I have previously suggested that those of us who might be called New Georgians seek "to promote an appreciation of 18th century Anglicanism, Georgian churches, and the ordinary, stolid piety that characterised the Georgian Church of England". Actually, it might be that there are a few more than 'dozens of us'. Something I enjoy posting on 'X...