List of church architecture terms facts for kids

Rood screen: used for dividing the chancel from the nave

Ornate choir stalls at Buxheim

Cloister and arcades

Have you ever wondered about the different parts of a church building? Just like a house has rooms with special names, churches have specific names for their areas and features. These terms help people talk about and understand the amazing buildings used for worship. Many of these words first came from the huge Gothic cathedrals built in the Middle Ages. Today, they are used for all sorts of Christian churches, big or small.

Exploring the Main Parts of a Church

Churches are often built in a shape that looks like a cross from above. This design helps organize the different areas where people gather and where religious services take place.

The Nave: Where Everyone Gathers

• The Nave is the main open area of the church. This is where the congregation (the people attending the service) sits or stands. It's usually the largest part of the church.
  • Aisles are walkways along the sides of the nave. They help people move around the church easily. In some big cathedrals, these aisles can be very grand and impressive.

The Transept: Making the Cross Shape

• The transept is the part of the church that sticks out on either side. It forms the "arms" of the cross shape when you look at the church from above.
  • The crossing is the central spot where the transept meets the nave. It's often a very important and grand area in the church.

The Quire (Choir): For Singers and Clergy

• The quire (also called the choir) is the area between the nave and the most sacred part of the church. It's often used by the church's singing choir and the clergy (priests or ministers).
• A rood screen often separates the quire from the nave. This can be a beautifully decorated screen made of wood or stone.
• The quire often has special choir stalls. These are seats, sometimes very ornate, where the choir members sit during services.

The East End: The Sacred Space

The "east end" of a church is usually where the most important religious activities happen.

• The presbytery is the area where the priest or priests lead the liturgy, such as Mass. It's a special space for the religious leaders.
• The sanctuary is the most sacred part of the church. This is where the main altar is located. It's often a raised area.
• The ambulatory is a walkway found in some larger churches. It goes around the outer wall of the sanctuary or apse. The word "ambulatory" comes from Latin and means "to walk," which is exactly what it's for.
  • Around the ambulatory, you might find small chapel]]s that radiate outwards. These are smaller rooms used for private prayer or specific devotions.

Other Important Church Features

Churches have many other unique parts and decorations.

• Altar: This is a special table or structure where offerings are made or where the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is celebrated during religious services.
• Apse: This is a rounded or semi-circular part at the very end of the church, usually at the east end. It often contains the altar.
• Chancel: This is the general term for the space around the altar. It includes the presbytery and sanctuary.
• Lancet window: This is a type of window that is tall and thin. It often has a pointed top, like the tip of a spear or a lancet.
• Reredos: This is a decorated screen or wall structure found behind the altar. It can be very ornate, with carvings, paintings, or sculptures.
• Rood screen or chancel screen: As mentioned before, this is a decorated screen that divides the chancel (or quire) from the nave. It was common in older churches.

A diagram showing the different parts of a church building.