The Jesuit churches of J.J. Scoles, and the Gothic revival

Thesis

The subject of this Thesis is the eight Jesuit churches designed by J.J. Scoles. It is the first sustained, scholarly investigation of these churches. Consideration of these churches enables us to explore an important series of interlinked research questions: namely, what does analysis of these churches reveal about Scoles the architect, about the English Jesuits, and about the contribution and significance of their architectural collaboration to the development of the Gothic Revival in architecture?

The Jesuit churches of Scoles were among the first permanent, physical manifestations of Catholicism in England after the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, yet their place within the history of Catholic material culture and Catholic church-building in England has not been adequately considered. Similarly, Scoles was a major figure within the architectural profession and within Catholic architectural practice in his day, yet his contribution has been largely neglected by modern historians. More broadly, the ‘visual turn’ in global Jesuit studies has yet to focus on Jesuit church-building in England.

This Thesis is built upon new research and upon analysis of primary sources. Many of the archival sources are unpublished and are analysed here for the first time. It is critical, comparative, and interdisciplinary. It finds that analysis of these churches, when contextualised with consideration of the Jesuits’ charism, educational practices, and approach to mission, and when also contextualised within wider developments in architecture in the period, can reveal new and original answers to the research questions posed. It reveals new insights into the English Jesuits’ approach to architecture and to their exploration of architectural identity in an English context.

It advances and deepens our understanding of Scoles as an architect, and proposes a reassessment of the significance of these churches within English Catholic church-building and within the Gothic Revival in church architecture.

Authors: Withnell, S

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-zo1jq0599
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Jesuit churches; Jesuit architecture; Gothic revival; Scoles; British Jesuits; Jesuit; J. J. Scoles; English Jesuits; Joseph John Scoles
• Subjects: Architecture; Built environment; Material culture--Religious aspects; Jesuit architecture; Gothic revival (Architecture); Christianity and art--Catholic Church; Jesuit art; Catholic emancipation; Gothic revival (Architecture)--Great Britain; Catholics, English