In this volume, White uses literary, archaeological, and documentary sources to set the architectural history of the early church within its wider cultural context, showing how the change from house churches to public basilicas coincided with crucial developments in the social aspects and religious practices of the emerging Christian movement. "[White's] judicious blend of archaeological remains, textual evidence, religious philosophies, and Roman social history... An enthusiastic, well-written presentation measured with erudition and sound research."--Classical World. xv, 211 pages with 27 illustrations or plans, notes and index.