Henry Langley, a Man Who Built Churches: Religion and Architecture in 19th-Century Ontario

Henry Langley (1836-1907), was the most prolific church architect for all denominations in what would become Ontario in the nineteenth century. This dissertation considers the church architecture of Henry Langley and his practice through an examination of the church designs and a close analysis of those works against the architectural literature and theories that were in existence in the nineteenth century. Central to the success of Langleys firm was his background in the Gothic Revival and architectural theory. Through his training with the Scottish-born architect William Hay (1818-88), Langley became familiar with the work of A.W.N. Pugin and ecclesiology. This theoretical foundation was almost certainly complimented by contemporary theory and printed pattern books regarding architectural style and church planning from Britain and the United States. Evidence of this resides in the fabric of Langleys churches, which are analyzed formally throughout this dissertation. Moreover, Langleys firm was a leader in the development of Gothic Revival architecture in nineteenth-century Ontario, designing large-scale city churches across the province, which used traditional forms in new and innovative manners to contend with urbanization and industrialized society. While tracing Langleys career from apprentice and student to successful architect and leader in professionalization, this dissertation examines Langleys role within the Gothic Revival movement of the nineteenth century locally, nationally, and internationally, and demonstrates how the churches that resulted from his practice are effective social and cultural texts that reveal their religious, social, and architectural associations, while reflecting the religious spirit of nineteenth-century Ontario culture.