Ecclesiastical Ornamentation in Gothic Architecture

At the time of the Gothic Revival, the Church of England was undergoing a revival of its own, known as the Oxford Movement. Many new churches had to be built to contain the burgeoning population of parishioners. In addition, the ecclesiological movement began to form in the universities at this time.

According to the supporters of this movement, the only suitable style for a parish church was the decorated form of Gothic architecture. This ecclesiological movement created a new style of Gothic Revival architecture, based on its own strict standards. This “archeological Gothic” architecture was the most similar to that of actual medieval buildings.

However, the attempts of the ecclesiological movement to associate this style of architecture with the high church did not meet with universal approval. Some of those individuals who wished to adopt the Gothic style only for its romantic associations also preferred the plainer style or chose to combine it with different architectural styles.

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