We live in a digital age. But stained glass windows still communicate the gospel - this book proves it

Historian Janet Gough’s richly illustrated survey of stained glass in English cathedral reveals how this ancient art form continues to communicate biblical truth, says our reviewer

Before TikTok, Instagram and Facebook – before video, television and even colour photography – there was another powerful medium that illuminated people’s lives with the light of the Gospel: stained glass. And even in today’s fast-moving digital world, its beauty and influence continue to resonate with modern audiences.

Cathedrals and historic churches still have a magnetic pull for millions in the UK and around the world. Those that remain open during the week often find visitors drawn to them – to pray, reflect, or simply pause amid busy lives. I call them our “invisible congregation.”

These visitors may not attend church services, yet they wander through church buildings in search of something spiritual within an increasingly secular world. One of the enduring draws of these sacred spaces is their stained glass. In this richly illustrated book, Divine Light (Kultaralis) historian Janet Gough explores examples from each of England’s cathedrals, uncovering the stories behind key works and revealing the timeless appeal of this luminous art form.

As Gough explains: “The stained-glass windows of England’s cathedrals illuminate interior spaces, communicate religious, historical and political messages, and perhaps offer us a glimpse of heaven.”

To create this book – filled with vivid photographs of stained glass – Gough invited every cathedral in England, along with Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, Windsor, to select one window to feature in her survey.

The result is an accessible guide to some of England’s finest stained glass, from