Church architectural elements

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System-search.svgSee also: Architectural elements.

Exterior[edit]

  • Apse A semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault at the east end more images...

    Apse
    A semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault at the east end
    more images...

  • Arcade A passage or walkway covered over by a succession of arches or vaults supported by columns

    Arcade
    A passage or walkway covered over by a succession of arches or vaults supported by columns

  • Architrave A moulded or ornamental band framing a rectangular opening. It is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of the columns

    Architrave
    A moulded or ornamental band framing a rectangular opening. It is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of the columns

  • Archivolt, ornamental molding or band following the curve on the underside of an arch. More images...
    Archivolt, ornamental molding or band following the curve on the underside of an arch.
    More images...
  • Baptistery A separate centrally-planned structure surrounding the baptismal font More images...

    Baptistery
    A separate centrally-planned structure surrounding the baptismal font
    More images...

  • Bell tower A tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none More images...

    Bell tower
    A tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none
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  • Buttress An architectural structure built against (a counterfort) or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall More images...

    Buttress
    An architectural structure built against (a counterfort) or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall
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  • Chapel A place of worship sometimes attached to a large church and sometimes a stand-alone structure More images...

    Chapel
    A place of worship sometimes attached to a large church and sometimes a stand-alone structure
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  • Chapter house A building or room attached to a cathedral or monastery in which meetings are held More images...

    Chapter house
    A building or room attached to a cathedral or monastery in which meetings are held
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  • Chevet Apses that are built as radiating chapels outside the choir aisle More images...

    Chevet
    Apses that are built as radiating chapels outside the choir aisle
    More images...

  • Church tower A tall tower, sometimes topped by a spire More images...

    Church tower
    A tall tower, sometimes topped by a spire
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  • Cloister an enclosed space, commonly in the form of a green square with surrounding arcades, that forms the central part of a monastery More images...

    Cloister
    an enclosed space, commonly in the form of a green square with surrounding arcades, that forms the central part of a monastery
    More images...

  • Corbel A piece of stone jutting out of a wall to carry any superincumbent weight More images...

    Corbel
    A piece of stone jutting out of a wall to carry any superincumbent weight
    More images...

  • Crossing tower The tower built above the junction of the four arms of a cruciform (cross-shaped) church More images...

    Crossing tower
    The tower built above the junction of the four arms of a cruciform (cross-shaped) church
    More images...

  • Cupola A relatively small, most often dome-like, tall structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome. more images...

    Cupola
    A relatively small, most often dome-like, tall structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome.
    more images...

  • Dome A structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere More images...

    Dome
    A structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere
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  • Facade The significant front of the church usually on the west front but can be on the side as well More images...

    Facade
    The significant front of the church usually on the west front but can be on the side as well
    More images...

  • Flèche A spire or a lead-covered timber spire that are placed on the ridges of church or cathedral roofs and are usually relatively small More images...

    Flèche
    A spire or a lead-covered timber spire that are placed on the ridges of church or cathedral roofs and are usually relatively small
    More images...

  • Flying buttress A type of buttress that are used to transmit the horizontal thrust of a vault across an intervening space More images...

    Flying buttress
    A type of buttress that are used to transmit the horizontal thrust of a vault across an intervening space
    More images...

  • Gargoyle A carved stone grotesque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building More images...

    Gargoyle
    A carved stone grotesque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building
    More images...

  • Onion dome A bulbous shaped dome resembling an onion More images...

    Onion dome
    A bulbous shaped dome resembling an onion
    More images...

  • Portal A main entrance, on the church facade, usually highly ornamented. More images...

    Portal
    A main entrance, on the church facade, usually highly ornamented.
    More images...

  • Tympanum A semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance bounded by a lintel and arch More images...

    Tympanum
    A semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance bounded by a lintel and arch
    More images...

  • Refectory A dining room, especially in monasteries

    Refectory
    A dining room, especially in monasteries

Interior[edit]

  • Aisle A space for walking with rows of seats on either side or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other

    Aisle
    A space for walking with rows of seats on either side or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other

  • Altar A structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices and votive offerings are made for religious purposes More images...

    Altar
    A structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices and votive offerings are made for religious purposes
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  • Altarpiece An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar More images...

    Altarpiece
    An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar
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  • Altar rails A set of railings, sometimes ornate and frequently of marble or wood, delimiting the chancel

    Altar rails
    A set of railings, sometimes ornate and frequently of marble or wood, delimiting the chancel

  • Ambulatory The covered passage around a cloister or a walkway around the apse More images...

    Ambulatory
    The covered passage around a cloister or a walkway around the apse
    More images...

  • Archivolt An ornamental molding or band following the curve of the underside of an arch More images...

    Archivolt
    An ornamental molding or band following the curve of the underside of an arch
    More images...

  • Ante-choir. A space in a church between the outer gate or railing of the rood screen and the door of the screen; sometimes there is only one rail, gate or door.

    Ante-choir. A space in a church between the outer gate or railing of the rood screen and the door of the screen; sometimes there is only one rail, gate or door.

  • Baldachin A canopy of state over an altar or throne More images...

    Baldachin
    A canopy of state over an altar or throne
    More images...

  • Baptismal font An article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults. More images...

    Baptismal font
    An article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.
    More images...

  • Bay A unit defined as the zone between the outside edges of an engaged column, pilaster, post, or vertical wall area More images...

    Bay
    A unit defined as the zone between the outside edges of an engaged column, pilaster, post, or vertical wall area
    More images...

  • Boss A a knob or protrusion of stone or wood. Bosses can often be found in the ceilings of buildings, particularly at the intersection of a vault. More images...

    Boss
    A a knob or protrusion of stone or wood. Bosses can often be found in the ceilings of buildings, particularly at the intersection of a vault.
    More images...

  • Capital The crowning part at the top of a column or a pilaster

    Capital
    The crowning part at the top of a column or a pilaster

  • Cathedra The chair or throne of a bishop. More images...

    Cathedra
    The chair or throne of a bishop.
    More images...

  • Chancel The space around the altar, including the choir and the sanctuary, at the liturgical east end of a church More images...

    Chancel
    The space around the altar, including the choir and the sanctuary, at the liturgical east end of a church
    More images...

  • Chantry An institutional chapel on private land or within a greater church, where a priest would chant masses More images...

    Chantry
    An institutional chapel on private land or within a greater church, where a priest would chant masses
    More images...

  • Choir The area usually in the western part of the chancel between the nave and the sanctuary (which houses the altar) More images...

    Choir
    The area usually in the western part of the chancel between the nave and the sanctuary (which houses the altar)
    More images...

  • Ciborium A canopy or covering supported by columns, freestanding in the sanctuary, that covers the altar More images...

    Ciborium
    A canopy or covering supported by columns, freestanding in the sanctuary, that covers the altar
    More images...

  • Clerestory An upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. More images...

    Clerestory
    An upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows.
    More images...

  • Column An architectural support that may form part of a colonnade More images...

    Column
    An architectural support that may form part of a colonnade
    More images...

  • Confession A cabinet-like unit in a church used for conducting confession More images...

    Confession
    A cabinet-like unit in a church used for conducting confession
    More images...

  • Consecration crosses Crosses on the walls of a catholic church or cathedral showing where the catholic bishop has anointed the church with chrism oil in order to consecrate it "for the Glory of God". More images...

    Consecration crosses
    Crosses on the walls of a catholic church or cathedral showing where the catholic bishop has anointed the church with chrism oil in order to consecrate it "for the Glory of God".
    More images...

  • Crossing The junction of the four arms of a cruciform (cross-shaped) church More images...

    Crossing
    The junction of the four arms of a cruciform (cross-shaped) church
    More images...

  • Crypt A stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a church usually used as a chapel or burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics More images...

    Crypt
    A stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a church usually used as a chapel or burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics
    More images...

  • Effigy A representation of a person, especially in the form of sculpture More images...

    Effigy
    A representation of a person, especially in the form of sculpture
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  • Fan vault A form of vault used in the Perpendicular Gothic style, in which the ribs are all of the same curve and spaced equidistantly, in a manner resembling a fan. More images...

    Fan vault
    A form of vault used in the Perpendicular Gothic style, in which the ribs are all of the same curve and spaced equidistantly, in a manner resembling a fan.
    More images...

  • High altar The main altar of a church

    High altar
    The main altar of a church

  • Hypogeum An underground temple or tomb

    Hypogeum
    An underground temple or tomb

  • Keystone A piece at the crown of a vault or arch which marks its apex, locking the other pieces into position. More images...

    Keystone
    A piece at the crown of a vault or arch which marks its apex, locking the other pieces into position.
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  • Labyrinth A single Eulerian path to the center sometimes laid on the floor of a large church More images...

    Labyrinth
    A single Eulerian path to the center sometimes laid on the floor of a large church
    More images...

  • Matroneum Originally a gallery on the interior of a building, later in medieval churches they became an architectonic elements, placed over the side aisles. More images...

    Matroneum
    Originally a gallery on the interior of a building, later in medieval churches they became an architectonic elements, placed over the side aisles.
    More images...

  • Nave The central approach to the high altar More images...

    Nave
    The central approach to the high altar
    More images...

  • Narthex The entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave that is either an indoor area separated from the nave by a screen or rail, or an external structure such as a porch to allow space for those not eligible for admittance into the general congregation.

    Narthex
    The entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave that is either an indoor area separated from the nave by a screen or rail, or an external structure such as a porch to allow space for those not eligible for admittance into the general congregation.

  • Parapet A wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof or structure

    Parapet
    A wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof or structure

  • Pinnacle An architectural ornament originally forming the cap or crown of a buttress or small turret, but afterwards used on parapets at the corners of towers and in many other situations More images...

    Pinnacle
    An architectural ornament originally forming the cap or crown of a buttress or small turret, but afterwards used on parapets at the corners of towers and in many other situations
    More images...

  • Pipe organ A major musical instrument in a church usually placed above entrance on the west side More images...

    Pipe organ
    A major musical instrument in a church usually placed above entrance on the west side
    More images...

  • Processional poles A long stick, often decorated at the top with statues of saints, used for carrying in religious processions. More images...

    Processional poles
    A long stick, often decorated at the top with statues of saints, used for carrying in religious processions.
    More images...

  • Pulpit A small elevated platform from which a member of the clergy delivers a sermon More images...

    Pulpit
    A small elevated platform from which a member of the clergy delivers a sermon
    More images...

  • Pulpit altar A pulpit centrally located in the same position as the main altar More images...

    Pulpit altar
    A pulpit centrally located in the same position as the main altar
    More images...

  • Rood screen An ornate screen, constructed of wood, stone or wrought iron used for dividing the chancel from the nave More images...

    Rood screen
    An ornate screen, constructed of wood, stone or wrought iron used for dividing the chancel from the nave
    More images...

  • Rose window A circular window especially used in Gothic churches and divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery More images...

    Rose window
    A circular window especially used in Gothic churches and divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery
    More images...

  • Royal Arms A wall relief or painting of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, usually found in Anglican churches, representing loyalty to the British crown More images...

    Royal Arms
    A wall relief or painting of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, usually found in Anglican churches, representing loyalty to the British crown
    More images...

  • Sedilia The seats (often) on the south side of the chancel near the altar for the use of the officiating priests More images...

    Sedilia
    The seats (often) on the south side of the chancel near the altar for the use of the officiating priests
    More images...

  • Side altar Secondary altars of a church

    Side altar
    Secondary altars of a church

  • Side-chapel A chapel within a cathedral or larger church building

    Side-chapel
    A chapel within a cathedral or larger church building

  • Solomonic column A helical column, characterized by a spiraling twisting shaft like a corkscrew. More images...

    Solomonic column
    A helical column, characterized by a spiraling twisting shaft like a corkscrew.
    More images...

  • Stained glass window A window decorated with coloured glass More images...

    Stained glass window
    A window decorated with coloured glass
    More images...

  • Stoup A vessel containing holy water generally placed near the entrance of a church More images...

    Stoup
    A vessel containing holy water generally placed near the entrance of a church
    More images...

  • Tabernacle A portable dwelling place for the divine presence More images...

    Tabernacle
    A portable dwelling place for the divine presence
    More images...

  • Transept The area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building More images...

    Transept
    The area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building
    More images...

  • Triforium A shallow gallery of arches within the thickness of inner wall, which stands above the nave More images...

    Triforium
    A shallow gallery of arches within the thickness of inner wall, which stands above the nave
    More images...

  • Vault An arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof More images...

    Vault
    An arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof
    More images...

  • Window An opening in a wall that allows the passage of light More images...

    Window
    An opening in a wall that allows the passage of light
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