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

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