"We shape our buildings..."

Steven Hayward, thinking about the destruction and potential reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral, is reminded of Winston Churchill's speech about rebuilding the House of Commons Chamber after it was destroyed by a German bomb during the Second World War. Churchill famously said “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.” This is especially true of places of worship. Churchill:

I beg to move, "That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report upon plans for the rebuilding of the House of Commons and upon such alterations as may be considered desirable while preserving all its essential features." On the night of 10^th May, 1941, with one of the last bombs of the last serious raid, our House of Commons was destroyed by the violence of the enemy, and we have now to consider whether we should build it up again, and how, and when. We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us. Having dwelt and served for more than 40 years in the late Chamber, and having derived fiery great pleasure and advantage therefrom, I, naturally, would like to see it restored in all essentials to its old form, convenience and dignity. I believe that will be the opinion of the great majority of its Members. It is certainly the opinion of His Majesty’s Government and we propose to support this resolution to the best of our ability. .... (more)

“We Shape Our Buildings...” | Power Line