House of the Lord: A Study of Holy Sanctuaries Ancient and Modern

The House of the Lord is an informed, comprehensive study of Christian churches modern and ancient. This superb edition includes the forty-six original plate illustrations.

By cataloging a range of places of worship in the United States, this manual chronicles the evolution of architectural styles pioneered in the country. We see how the Christians of the Midwest gradually gained in ambition and boldness, constructing larger churches and temples in successive displays of devotion to the Lord.

James E. Talmage used his own status as a member of the Church of the Latter-day Saints to receive access to the interiors of several churches he describes. He photographed the most iconic interior and exterior rooms, noting the differences in style and form present. This book was originally published in 1912, and as such may be considered something of a retrospective on the ascent of Christian belief in the United States during the 19th century.