Architecture and Construction - Churches

Here you will learn some English words related to churches such as "aisle", "chapel", and "gargoyle".

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Architecture and Construction

a roofed passageway designed for continuous movement around a central area, commonly found in religious architecture or formal gardens

Ex: The ambulatory allowed pilgrims to circulate around the shrine without disrupting the service .
apse [noun]

a small curved area in a church, particularly at the east end of it

aisle [noun]

the passageway between rows of seats in a church, often leading from the entrance to the altar

Ex: Guests stood and turned to watch the groom as he made his way up the aisle .
choir [noun]

an area in a church that is occasionally occupied by a group of singers performing together while religious ceremonies are held

an elevated area in a church or cathedral where the choir or singers perform during religious services

concha [noun]

a semicircular or dome-shaped recess or niche, often found in the apse of a church, used for decorative or architectural purposes

crossing [noun]

the area where the nave, transepts, and choir of a church intersect, often marked by a dome or tower

Ex: The organ loft is located above the crossing .

a decorative partition or gallery separating the choir and sanctuary from the nave in a church

narthex [noun]

an enclosed area consisting of pillars located at the western entrance of an old church

an ornamental carving or finial found at the top of a seat or a choir stall, typically depicting a decorative or symbolic design such as a flower, foliage, or a human or animal figure

steeple [noun]

a tall and pointed tower on a church, often topped by a spire

transept [noun]

either of the two hands at the sides of a cross-shaped church, which sticks out of the long central part of the church at a 90-degree angle

tribune [noun]

the apse or a semicircular or polygonal space at the east end of a church, often containing the altar and serving as a focal point of worship

a narrow, arcaded gallery or passageway found above the arches of the nave in Gothic cathedrals, typically below the clerestory windows

nave [noun]

the long and central part of a church where people sit to worship God

pulpit [noun]

a small enclosed platform with stairs in a church, on which a priest stands to preach to people

chancel [noun]

the area of a church or cathedral that surrounds the altar and is typically reserved for the clergy and choir during religious services

a small chapel located within the transept of a church or cathedral, often dedicated to a specific saint or serving as a place of private prayer or devotion

a series of arches or arcades that separate the central aisle of a church from the side aisles

chapel [noun]

a small place of worship or prayer that is usually separate from a main church or cathedral

crypt [noun]

a room that is beneath the floor of a church and was mostly used for burying the dead in the past

a small chapel within a church, dedicated to prayers and masses for the souls of specific individuals, typically the chapel's founder or benefactor

fleche [noun]

a slender, spire-like structure typically found atop the roof of a church or cathedral, serving as a decorative or functional element

piscina [noun]

a shallow basin or stone niche with a drain, usually found in the sacristy or near the altar in a church, used for the ritual washing of sacred vessels and purifying water used in religious ceremonies

a medieval wooden church found in Norway, constructed using post-and-beam techniques and featuring intricate woodcarvings

cloister [noun]

a covered walking area with several stone arches, which surrounds a square garden in a church, monastery, etc.

spire [noun]

a pointed and long structure in the shape of a cone, which is built on top of a church or other tall buildings

an arched structure made of stone used for supporting the outer wall of a building, especially a church

gargoyle [noun]

stone figures that resemble a hideous creature and that are attached to the top of some old buildings, particularly old churches, for carrying rain water off the roof

Ex: The Renaissance palace had ornate balustrades topped with sculpted gargoyles , adding a touch of whimsy to the architectural design .

the central courtyard or garden enclosed by the surrounding covered walkways of a cloister, providing a peaceful and communal space for prayer and contemplation

belfry [noun]

a bell tower or structure that houses bells, often found in churches or other religious buildings

screen [noun]

an ornate partition, often of wood or stone, separating parts of a church such as the nave, choir, or altar

Ex:

colorful pieces of glass put together in decorative patterns to form pictorial designs, typically found in the windows of churches

a roof structure on a tower or steeple that has four sloping sides and a pyramid-like shape

broach [noun]

a pointed architectural ornament, often conical or pyramidal, placed at the apex of a gable, spire, or tower, especially in church architecture

Ex: The mason carved a broach to sit at the tower 's peak .