Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

Majestic masonry

Words: Jennifer MorrellI recently was approached by the publisher of a new book that caught my eye. The book now is on my coffee table, gaining a lot of attention from all who pass by. And how could it not? It’s large, blue, heavy, and chock full of images of some of the most incredible masonry masterpieces I’ve ever seen in one collection.

“Cathedrals Built by the Masons” by Russell Herner (Schiffer Publishing Ltd.) is described as showcasing “vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, and flying buttresses,” and boy, does it ever. The book explores Gothic architecture as well as the tools and stonemasons behind this art.

With all of the traditional brick buildings found around the United States, we forget that other types of opulent masonry work exist all over the world, bold and mighty in all their beauty.

This book provides a good history lesson on not only cathedrals, but also the master builders who designed and built them. For masonry enthusiasts like us, it’s great reading!

To dress up your coffee table and learn something you might not have known about your craft, email jessem@schifferbooks.com for more information on “Cathedrals Built by the Masons.”
 0
Designing Masonry Openings Without Compromising Aesthetics
July 2026

One of masonry's greatest strengths is its ability to create visually striking architecture. From arches and deep reveals to decorative brick detailing, masonry provides texture, depth, and character that continue to inspire architects today. As buildin

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More
Restoring the Breath of the Building: The Life-Saving Science Behind Historic Masonry Repairs
July 2026

When I first set out to become a historic preservation and restoration mason, I imagined that most of my trade would involve repairing the effects of old age. Instead, 99 percent of my work is attempting to stabilize and reverse damage caused by recent an

Technical Talks
Read More
Laying the Foundation for the Future: Workforce Development at the Arizona Masonry Council
July 2026

For generations, masonry has been built on a simple but powerful principle: knowledge passed from one set of hands to the next. In Arizona, the Arizona Masonry Council (AMC) is working to ensure that tradition continues by investing in one of the industr

Dawn Rogers
Industry News
Read More
Preserving Masonry Aesthetics with Concealed Lintel Systems
July 2026

Masonry has long been valued for its ability to create buildings with character, permanence, and visual appeal. Features such as arches, deep reveals, corbelling, and decorative brickwork continue to be popular design elements in modern architecture. Howe

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More