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

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

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