How do the physical and social structures of religious organizations influence the behavior, identity, and community cohesion of their members? Robert E. Brenneman and Brian J. Miller examine the intersection of architectural space and social organization within religious institutions. Drawing on sociological theory and empirical observation, the authors argue that the built environment functions as a mechanism for reinforcing group boundaries and shaping the lived experience of faith. The text provides a framework for understanding how physical settings facilitate or constrain social interaction among congregants.

Scholars in the sociology of religion identify this work as a significant contribution to the study of institutional environments. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for researchers and students of organizational sociology.