Representations of the Green Man and green beasts are ubiquitous in British churches, sometimes in obvious places, sometimes hidden in a corner or under a misericord. The pagan figure’s presence in Christian buildings remains unexplained. What is ironic, is that, if the Church, unable to make the cult of Nature disappear, incorporated the Green Man into its edifices in order to distort his meaning and vilify him, turning him into a beast or a monster, this integration has in fact preserved his image and saved him from oblivion since there are almost no old representations of the Green Man outside of churches.
I started to take photos of the Green Man in churches in May 2023. The project is ongoing and this gallery may be updated from time to time. If you spot a Green Man in a church in the Bristol region (West of England and South Wales), please send me details (which church and where in the church). If you wish to use or buy any of my photos, please get in touch to discuss.
Kaz Leroux Photography 