"I love the description of Gothic churches before the printed word, that they were the bibles of the poor"

This quote by John McGahern speaks to the power of Gothic churches prior to the innovation of the printing press. Before the printed word, Gothic churches were the main source of knowledge and education for the poor. They were a location of refuge and solace, a place to discover the world and the divine. The architecture of the churches was designed to motivate awe and respect, and the stained glass windows were used to inform stories from the Bible. The churches gave comfort and expect the poor, supplying them with a sense of community and belonging. The Gothic churches were a symbol of faith and hope, and a tip of the power of the divine. McGahern's quote talks to the importance of these churches in the lives of the poor, and the impact they had on their lives.