This is a comprehensive survey of the social historical & architectural importance of the English parsonage & its future. Traditional English rectories & vicarages sold out of service by the Church have become uniquely desirable to property buyers & are now cherished by their new private owners. They combine many coveted qualities: their fine architecture their air of civilization their charm & character the traditional values & quality of essential ' Englishness' which they evoke; their large gardens & often splendidly rural locations. Despite their historical social & architectural importance there is no comprehensive book about them currently in print. This book examines the place of rectories & vicarages in the history of the Church & of this country & traces their evolution through the centuries. It looks at their many & varied styles of architecture profiling some individual houses & highlighting some of the most architecturally outstanding & interesting ones. It is handsomely illustrated with quality color & black-&-white photographs. Although rectories & vicarages have had their ups & downs throughout history the period from the early twentieth century to the present day has posed perhaps the greatest challenge: why if they are so desirable has the Church been selling off its finest houses? The Old Rectory" examines the contribution to our culture made by the clerical families who occupied these houses & looks at some of the famous people (and eccentrics) who have been associated with them."