Background of the Studies

Cathedrals and chapels not only provide a space for worship, but they are also vessels for the
display of religious iconography and art. Until the early fourth century A.D., much of early
Christian art and space for worship occurred in catacombs – subterranean locations where
Christians would bury members of their community. It has traditionally been thought that
Christians used such catacombs due to persecutions by the Roman government. However,
such persecutions were periodic and not sustained. Other explanations have been offered
regarding the regular use of the catacombs as a result.

In any case, such tombs became the repositories of art expressions in the early decades of the
religion. Prominent scenes include depictions of the Bible that highlighted deliverance from
death. Depictions of Jesus of Nazareth appear in these catacombs, but often borrowing from
the likeness of the Greek god Hermes, who functioned as a messenger deity as well as a carrier
of souls in the afterlife. The cross as a widely displayed symbol of Christian faith would become
more frequent only after the Roman emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in the fourth
century A.D.

The earliest Christian places of worship were not dedicated buildings but rather a
dedicated chamber within a building, such as a room in an individual's home. Here one or two
people could pray without being part of a communion/congregation. People who like to use
chapels may find it peaceful and relaxing to be away from the stress of life, without other people
moving around them.
The word "chapel", like the associated word "chaplain", is ultimately derived from Latin.[7] More
specifically, the word "chapel" is derived from a relic of Saint Martin of Tours: traditional stories
about Martin relate that while he was still a soldier, he cut his military cloak in half to give part to
a beggar in need. The other half he wore over his shoulders as a "small cape" (Latin: capella).
The beggar, the stories claim, was Christ in disguise, and Martin experienced a conversion of
heart, becoming first a monk, then abbot, then bishop. This cape came into the possession of
the Frankish kings, and they kept the relic with them as they did battle. The tent which kept the
cape was called the capella and the priests who said daily Mass in the tent were known as
the capellani. From these words, via Old French, we get the names "chapel" and "chaplain".
The word also appears in the Irish language in the Middle Ages, as Welsh people came with
the Norman and Old English invaders to the island of Ireland. While the traditional Irish word for
church was eaglais (derived from ecclesia), a new word, séipéal (from cappella), came into
usage.
In British history, "chapel" or "meeting house" were formerly the standard designations for
church buildings belonging to independent or Nonconformist religious societies and their
members. They were particularly associated with the pre-eminence of independent religious
practice in rural regions of England and Wales, the northern industrial towns of the late 18th and
19th centuries, and centres of population close to but outside the City of London. As a result,
"chapel" is sometimes used as an adjective in the UK to describe the members of such
churches: for example in the sentence "I'm Chapel."
Marty Leonard Community
Chapel, Texas

Lincoln Chapel, Texas

St Loup Chapel, Pompales

The Chapel of St. Benedict and
St. Scholastica, Northern Samar

St Florian Chapel, Laguna

Stella Maris Chapel, Albay Province

MAJOR SPACES REQUIRED

NARTHEX: The narthex should be the functional core of the church facility with all other spaces flowing
around and from it. The main entrance and all secondary entrances into the facility should lead directly
into this space to aid congregant and visitor with finding their way. The narthex should be a place of
welcome for the visitor; immediately they can orient themselves to their surroundings. They can visually
find the administrative offices, restrooms, nursery, sanctuary, educational spaces, and all main circulation
routes

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: The church offices should function as the facilities control center,
overseeing the facility, as its occupants receive input and easily appropriate resources to meet those
needs. The administration area needs to not only be efficient but should be accessible, both visually and
physically. It should express a warm and caring nature, while also communicating a sense of
confidentiality. It should be secure for staff, equipment and records as well as being energy-efficient, due
to its considerable use throughout the week.

NURSERY: This easy-to-find space, close to the main entrance, lessens the anxiety level of both parents
and children. A parent with several small children will usually want to place their infant in good care
before escorting older children to other classrooms. The younger the child, the closer the program space
should be to the main entrance and narthex. School age children will accept traveling down a hallway,
while younger children express concern with “distance” into a building.

RESTROOMS: The location of handicapped accessible restroom facilities should be readily apparent to
newcomers who should be spared the embarrassment of asking where they are. When a first-time
attendee feels comfortable in finding his or her way around the facility, they feel more at home and are
more likely to return.

LIBRARY/BOOKSTORE: This space should be easily visible to both weekly visitors to the facility and
worshippers on Sunday morning as they pass on their way to and from the sanctuary. The goal is to get
books and literature in the hands of the people. This rarely occurs when the library is placed in a hard-to-
find location.

KITCHEN: This space’s location should be such that the kitchen’s use can range from the preparation of
light refreshments during fellowship times, to any dinner that may occur in the narthex and/or fellowship
hall space. Perhaps few areas in a church facility elicit stronger opinions than that of the church kitchen.
Rarely are they considered “just right”. This is because the church kitchen users vary from folks who just
make coffee to those who can put together full dinners for hundreds at one setting

EDUCATION: These rooms must be easy to find and not too far from the main entrance. Educational
areas should be designed with flexibility, storage and acoustics in mind. Incorporating movable partition
walls, individual closets, carpeting, and acoustical ceilings are some of the best ways to solve the usual
problems encountered with ever-changing ministry needs.

WORSHIP: The Sanctuary should be located immediately off the narthex and not to far from the main
entrance and restrooms. Generally people do not prefer to walk long distances to get to this primary
space. Though the size, shape, and configuration of worship spaces vary from church to church, its
location should be such that overflow seating can be placed into the narthex when necessary.

FELLOWSHIP HALL AND/OR GYMNASIUM: When properly designed, the narthex can serve for many
years to meet the church’s ministry needs that require these spaces. However as a church grows and
their ministries expand, a well thought out fellowship hall can not only give the church the ability to meet
their members needs for fellowship, banquets and recreation, but also serve as a tool for community
outreach ministries