Transactions of the Exeter Diocesan Architectural and Archaeological Society, Volumes 1 and 2 (1843, 1847)

The Exeter Diocesan Architectural and Archaeological Society was established in 1841 in order to collect and diffuse information on the subject of ecclesiastical architecture, to report on the fabric of Devon’s churches, and to approve designs for new churches. Many prominent West Country architects belonged to the EDAAS, including most of the leading architects engaged in Victorian church restoration. The society’s official architect, John Hayward (1807-1891), designed the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.

“making allowance on the one hand for those provincialisms in art which are analogous to the minor varieties of dialect, and on the other for those real differences in the details of execution which display the original talent of the artist, we may still hope to attain throughout the kingdom a harmonious and consistent style of building, which is as far removed from an ignorant affectation of vulgar originality, as it is far removed from a servile imitation of ancient models.”

In raising public awareness of questions of architecture and promoting harmonious styles of building, the EDAAS hoped to perform a service both “to the Church of God” and to England. The Society was aligned with the Gothic Revival, which became an important tool for reinforcing Anglican authority during this period, in the face of a rising tide of evangelicalism. Victorian Gothic architecture also fed into a wider reaction against industrialisation, and the liberal and republican ideals associated with the popular Neoclassical style. As such, it became aligned with monarchism and conservatism.

The Transactions of the EDAAS were published sporadically from the 1840s to the 1930s, and hold a wealth of useful information, including many fine engravings and lithographs of local churches. Volume 1 focuses on the Church of Ottery St. Mary, “a beautiful specimen of the early English, and Decorated, and portions of the early and late Perpendicular styles”. Volume 2 collects various papers on ecclesiastical architecture, and articles on specific churches in the deanery of Tavistock and Cornwall.  

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