What is a aisle in a church?

In church architecture, an aisle (also known as an yle or alley) is more specifically a passageway to either side of the nave that is separated from the nave by colonnades or arcades, a row of pillars or columns.

.

Also, what is the main aisle of a church called?

The nave is the central aisle of a basilica church or the main body of a church between its rear wall and the far end of its intersection with the transept at the chancel.

Secondly, what is the chancel area of a church? In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar, including the choir and the sanctuary (sometimes called the presbytery), at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may terminate in an apse.

Likewise, people ask, what are the rooms of a church called?

sacristy. A sacristy is the room in a Catholic church where religious objects used during rituals like Holy Communion are stored. Things like a chalice, altar linens, and holy oils are kept in a sacristy.

What are the wings of a church called?

Transept: Sometimes called the 'Crossing', the transept forms wings at right angles to the nave.

Related Question Answers

Where is the apse in a church?

Commonly, the apse of a church, cathedral or basilica is the semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir or sanctuary, or sometimes at the end of an aisle. In relation to church architecture it is generally the name given to where the altar is placed or where the clergy are seated.

What does the pulpit represent?

A pulpit is a raised stand for preachers in a Christian church. The origin of the word is the Latin pulpitum (platform or staging). Many churches have a second, smaller stand called the lectern, which can be used by lay persons, and is often used for all the readings and ordinary announcements.

What is the back of the church called?

The narthex is an architectural element typical of early Christian and Byzantine basilicas and churches consisting of the entrance or lobby area, located at the west end of the nave, opposite the church's main altar.

What are the different parts of a Catholic church called?

The names for the parts of the church are in red after each number.

• Narthex.
• Façade towers.
• Nave.
• Aisles.
• Transept.
• Crossing.
• Altar.
• Apse.

What is an aisle in a church?

In church architecture, an aisle (also known as an yle or alley) is more specifically a passageway to either side of the nave that is separated from the nave by colonnades or arcades, a row of pillars or columns.

What is a choir in a church?

A choir, also sometimes called quire, is the area of a church or cathedral that provides seating for the clergy and church choir. It is in the western part of the chancel, between the nave and the sanctuary, which houses the altar and Church tabernacle.

What are the sections of a church?

The basic structure of a church can be broken down into several sections: the Narthex, Nave, Crossing, Transept, Sanctuary, and Altar.

• Narthex. The narthex or vestibule of a church is the entranceway into the main hall or nave.
• Nave.
• Crossing.
• Transept.
• Chancel.
• Altar.
• Sacristy.

What is a transept in a church?

A transept (with two semitransepts) is a transverse part of any building, which lies across the main body of the edifice. In churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building within the Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architectural traditions.

What are the three parts of the church?

In a classic liturgical church building, in which the building is shaped like a cross, there are three major parts: the nave (the area where the people who are worshipping are, usually with seating), the chancel (the area where those who lead worship are - clergy, choir, acolytes), and the sanctuary (divided from the

What is the name of the room where the priest prepares for Mass?

A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments (such as the alb and chasuble) and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records. In some countries, it is known as the vestry. The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building (as in some monasteries).

What is the place where the priest stands called?

a building that Christians go to in order to worship. Traditional churches usually contain an altar and long wooden seats facing the altar called pews. The place where the priest or minister stands to talk to the people is called a pulpit.

What is the area around the altar called?

The area of a church around the altar is commonly called the Sanctuary. The larger area around the altar is also called the Chancel. However, technically, the sanctuary is actually just a smaller section of the area called the chancel.

Why does the altar face east?

It used to be that the altar faced east because that is the direction of the rising sun, symbolizing, I believe, the resurrection which we believe in.

What is the cloth on the altar called?

corporax, from Latin corpus "body") is a square white linen cloth, now usually somewhat smaller than the breadth of the altar, upon which the chalice and paten, and also the ciborium containing the smaller hosts for the Communion of the laity, are placed during the celebration of the Catholic Eucharist (Mass).

What is the difference between a narthex and vestibule?

As nouns the difference between vestibule and narthex is that vestibule is (architecture) a passage, hall or room, such as a lobby, between the outer door and the interior of a building while narthex is (architecture) a western vestibule leading to the nave in some (especially orthodox) christian churches.

What is church sanctuary?

Catholic churches are traditionally built in the shape of a cross with the top of the cross facing Jerusalem. The east end of the church is called the sanctuary and contains: the altar – a table where the bread and wine are blessed during the Eucharist. a crucifix – a cross with Jesus on.

What is the transept used for?

transept A rectangular area which cuts across the main axis of a basilica-type building and projects beyond it. The transept gives a basilica the shape of a Latin cross and usually serves to separate the main area of the building from an apse at the end.

How are churches aligned?

Within church architecture, orientation is an arrangement by which the point of main interest in the interior is towards the east (Latin: oriens). The east end is where the altar is placed, often within an apse. The façade and main entrance are accordingly at the west end.

What is the east end of a church called?

APSE. a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar.