NARTHEX

In early Christian architecture the Narthex was a portion of the church at the west end, separated from the nave by a low wall or screen and reserved for the catechumens, energumens, and penitents who were not admitted amongst the congregation. The narthex was of two kinds, exterior and interior: the former consisted of an open atrium arcade continued across the front of the church; in the latter, the aisle and gallery were returned across the nave. The outer narthex was sometimes used as a hall of judgment and for other secular purposes, and, after the sixth century, as a place of burial, while the inner narthex sometimes called the matroneum, was used, probably for certain persons of rank or distinction, rather than as a women's gallery.

Picture taken from : http://blog.beliefnet.com/stuffchristianculturelikes/2010/04/149-calling-the-lobby-the-narthex.html

Acknowledgement: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10704b.htm

CLERESTORY

Clerestory is  term now restricted to the windows in an aisled nave, or to the range of wall in which the high windows are set but was formerly applied to any window or traceried opening in a church, e.g. in an aisle, tower, cloister, or screen, but . Sometimes these windows are very small, being mere quatrefoils or spherical triangles. However, is larger churches they are important features both of beauty and utility. The clerestory is especially used in churches where the division into nave and side aisles permits the introduction of light into the body of the church from above the aisle roofs.

CARLISLE CATHEDRAL
Picture taken from: www.varsitythreadsusa.com 

Acknowledgement: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04049a.htm

TRANSEPT

The Transept is a  rectangular space inserted between the apse and nave in the early Christian basilica. It sprang from the need of procuring sufficient space for the increased number of clergy and for the proper celebration of the service. The bay at which the transept intersects the main body of the church is called the crossing. The transept itself is sometimes simply called the cross.The length of the rectangle either equals the entire breadth of the nave, , or it exceeds this breadth more or less, so that the transept extends beyond the walls of the nave. The transept generally terminates towards the north and south in a straight line.

Picture taken from: http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menuglossary/transept.htm

Acknowledgement: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15018a.htm
                              http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/602515/transept

PULPIT

A Pulpit is an elevated and enclosed platform from which the sermon is delivered during the church service. Pulpits have been executed in every style and from every building material that was in vogue at the time of their execution, from elaborately carved stone to intricate forms in wrought iron. In the 9th century two desks called ambos were provided in Christian churches—one for reading from the Gospels, the other for reading from the Epistles of the New Testament. The former, which became increasingly ornate, was the forerunner of the pulpit.

SANTA ANNA CHURCH PULPIT
Picture taken from : http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/slideshow-photo/santa-ana-church-pulpit-by-travelpod-member-bakasyonista-oranjestad-aruba.html?sid=13259582&fid=tp-3

Acknowledgement: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/483218/pulpit

PEW

The Pew was originally a raised and enclosed place in a church designed for an ecclesiastical dignitary or officer; and was later extended to include special seating in the body of the church for distinguished laity and, finally, to include all church seating. It consists of a long, backed oak or pine bench with a hinged or fixed kneeling board. The upright ends were squared off or terminated in a finial or other carved ornament.

Picture taken from : www.dumaspews.com

Acknowledgement: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/454697/pew

NAVE

The Nave is the central and principal part of a Christian church, extending from the entrance (the narthex) to the transepts (transverse aisle crossing the nave in front of the sanctuary in a cruciform church) or, in the absence of transepts, to the chancel (area around the altar). The nave is that part of a church set apart for the laity, as distinguished from the chancel, choir, and presbytery, which are reserved for the choir and clergy. The separation of the two areas may be effected by screens or parapets, called cancelli. The term nave derives from the Latin navis, meaning “ship,” and it has been suggested that it may have been chosen to designate the main body of the building because the ship had been adopted as a symbol of the church.

Picture taken from : http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menuglossary/nave.htm

Acknowledgement: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/406945/nave

CHAPEL

The Chapel is a small, intimate place of worship. The name was originally applied to the shrine in which the kings of France preserved the cape (late Latin cappella, diminutive of cappa) of St. Martin. Any sanctuary that houses the relics was called a chapel and the priest cappellanus, or chaplain. There are various type of chapels such as Chapel withing churches, Bishop's Chapels, Chantry Chapel, Papal Chapel, Royal Chapel, etc.

ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL, NEW YORK
Picture taken from : http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menuglossary/nave.htm

Acknowledgement: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/106077/chapel
                              http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03574b.htm

CHANCEL

The Chancel is that part of a church which contains the choir and is often at the eastern end. The name derives from the Latin word for “lattice,” describing the screen that during some eras of church history divided the chancel from the nave and crossing. The word today is often interchangeable with choir or sanctuary.

THE CHURCH OF ST. ANDREWS, CLEWER 
Picture taken from : http://www.standrewsclewer.org.uk/?page_id=86

Acknowledgement: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/105298/chancel

TYPES OF BUTRESSESS

 The Flying Buttresses  is an arch, resting at one end on a detached pier and it carries the thrust of the nave vault over the aisles or cloister.
The Pier or Tower Buttresses is a simple masonry piles attached to a wall at regular intervals.
Hanging buttresses aee freestanding piers connected to a wall by corbels.
Corner buttresses are of various types such as diagonal, angle, clasping, and setback which that support intersecting walls.

Picture taken from : http://moonbeams8.blogspot.in/2009/10/art-is-trim.html

Acknowledgement: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03092a.htm
                              http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/86773/buttress

BUTRESSES

Buttresses in architecture, is the exterior support, usually of masonry, projecting from the face of a wall and serving either to strengthen it or to resist the side thrust created by the load on an arch or a roof. In addition to their practical functions, buttresses can be decorative, both in their own right and from the designs carved or constructed into them. There are various types of buttresses such as the flying buttresses,  pier or tower buttresses, hanging buttresses and corner buttresses.

Picture taken from : http://www.americansinfrance.net/Attractions/Chartres-Cathedral-Flying-Buttress.cfm

Acknowledgement: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/86773/buttress

BELFRY

The upper part of the tower or steeple of a church, for the reception of the bells; or a detached tower containing bells. The term is sometimes applied to the timber frame by which the bells are supported; also to the room or loft in the tower of a church, from which the bells are rung.

BELFRY OF ST. PETER AND PAUL CHURCH
Picture taken from : http://www.123rf.com/photo_7535454_hamina-finland-belfry-of-st-peter-and-paul-church-19-c.html

Acknowledgement: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02394d.htm

APSE

The Apse is a semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir or aisles of a church. It is that part of the church where the clergy are seated or the altar placed. It was so called from being usually domed or vaulted, and was so used by the Greeks and Romans. The term is sometimes applied to a canopy over an altar; a dome; the arched roof of a room; the bishop's seat in old churches; a reliquary; a recess, semicircular in plan, covered over with a vault in the shape of a semi-dome or any other description of roof. The apse is always solid below though generally broken by windows above.

HAGIA SOPHIA APSE
Picture taken from : http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-hagia-sophia-photos/slides/apse-c-hbetts

Acknowledgment: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01659a.htm

ALTAR

An Altar is an elevated place or structure before which religious ceremonies may be enacted or upon which sacrifices may be offered. It is a structure, typically a table, before which the divine offices are recited and upon which the Eucharist is celebrated in Church. The altar was usually placed in a chapel from where it could be seen by all the worshipers.

ALTAR OF THE St. MICHAEL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Picture taken from : http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamontheroad/6292478826/

Acknowledgement: http://www.norwich-churches.org/Glossary/glossary.shtm
                              http://www.thefreedictionary.com/altar

AISLE

The Aisle is a lateral or longitudinal divisions of a church, separated from the nave (sometimes called the centre aisle) by rows of piers, pillars, or columns. The term is popularly used to describe the passage between pews or seating. Sometimes a church has one side-aisle only. Often the aisle is continued around the apse. Occasionally the aisles stop at the transepts. The aisle is generally one story, but occasionally there is an upper story, sometimes used as a gallery. As a general rule, churches are divided into three aisles, but there is no fixed rule that governs the number.

Picture taken from : http://www.businessinsider.com/movement-to-tax-church-gains-momentum-2012-9

Acknowledgement: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01237c.htm

CHURCH ARCHITECTURE

Architecture can be defined as the art or science of designing, making and building buildings. Church architecture can be said to be the art of making churches for the worship of Christians. Church architecture is a complex discipline and consists building of the aisle, apse, altar, belfry, buttress, chancel, chapel, gallery, nave, pew, pulpit, spandrels, vault among the other structures

Picture taken from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metz_Cathedral

Acknowledgement: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/architecture

.                             http://www.norwich-churches.org/Glossary/glossary.shtm

ST. PETER'S BASILICA

St. Peter's Basilica, also known as the Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano in Italian, is the most famous Basilica situated in the Vatican City of Rome, Italy. It is regarded as one of the Holiest Christian sites.St. Peter's Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter - the apostle who is considered the first pope - was crucified and buried. St. Peter's tomb is under the main altar and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well. One can see the St. Peter's Square, Obelisk, Colonnade, Statues of 140 Saints, Dome designed by Michelangelo, Grand facade, the Holy Door.

Picture taken from : http://www.hotelsinrome-italy.com/st-peters-basilica-the-most-pious-christian-church.html

Acknowledgement: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica

BASILICA

A  Basilica is a public building of ancient Rome having a central nave with an apse at one or both ends and two side aisles formed by rows of columns, which was used as a courtroom or assembly hall. It is also a Christian church building of a similar design, having a nave with a semicircular apse, two or four side aisles, a narthex, and a clerestory.

ISTVAN BASILICA
Picture taken from : http://www.bestourism.com/medias/dfp/2757

Acknowledgement: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/basilica

DURHAM CATHEDRAL

Durham Cathedral is the greatest Norman building in England, perhaps even in Europe. It is cherished not only for its architecture but also for its incomparable setting. The Cathedral speaks powerfully of heritage and history. Its sheer size and splendor testify to the power of Norman overlords establishing their authority in the land they had conquered.

Picture taken from : http://zephyrinus-zephyrinus.blogspot.in/2012/10/durham-cathedral-part-two.html

Acknowledgement: http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/

CATHEDRALS

The chief church of a diocese, in which the bishop has his throne (cathedra) and close to which is his residence; it is, properly speaking, the bishop's church, wherein he presides, teaches, and conducts worship for the whole Christian community.
The word is derived from the Greek kathedra through the Latin cathedra, throne, elevated seat.

Acknowledgement: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03438a.htm

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is popularly known as the Westminster Abbey. It is a large,Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English royalty.
The abbey is a Royal Peculiar and a Collegiate Church and briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1540 to 1550.

Picture taken from : http://goeurope.about.com/od/londo1/l/bl_westminster1.htm

Acknowledgement: http://www.westminster-abbey.org/our-history

ABBEY

An Abbey is a group of buildings, serving the needs of a self-contained religious community. It is headed by ab Abbot or Abbess. It is also used loosely to refer to priories, smaller monasteries under a prior. The first European abbey was Montecassino in Italy, founded in 529 by St. Bebedict of Nursia, who wrote the order that formed the basic foundation of monastic life in the Western world. In the 12th and 13th centuries, many abbeys were built in England, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria. In France the monastic movement flourished to a greater extent than in any other country. One of the important Abbeys is the Westminster Abbey, London, England.

VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY
Picture taken from :  http://www.llangollen.com/valle.html

Acknowledgement: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/552/abbey

MONASTERIES

Monasteries are dwelling places for a community of persons, especially monks following the Christian faith, who live a life of partial or complete seclusion and are bound by vows to lead a religious life. Churches are a part of the Monastery where the monks spend their time in meditation and prayer. The monastery is a self sufficient place and promotes service to the community. A monastery may be an Abbey or a Priory.

Picture taken from : http://ogleearth.com/2006/07/coptic-monasteries-in-egypt/

Acknowledgement: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/monastery

SACRAMENTS

For a Christian, following the seven Catholic Sacraments laid down in the Bible is indeed of great importance. The Church asks its worshipers to religiously follow the Sacraments of : Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders and Anointing the Sick. It is important for all Christians to follow these Sacraments.

Picture taken from : http://www.americancatholic.org/features/special/default.aspx?id=29

Acknowledgement:  http://www.americancatholic.org/features/special/default.aspx?id=29

CHURCH DEFINATION

The word 'church' is translated from the Greek word 'Ekklesia' which means the 'called out ones'. The church is a place of worship for the followers of Jesus Christ. The Merriam Websters Dictionary defines churches as a building for public and especially Christian worship.

Acknowledgement:   http://hell-fact-or-fable.com/2010/04/from-where-did-we-get-the-word-church/

Welcome to the world of churches

This blog is an attempt to provide information about the churches, their architecture and give a few examples of the churches.