A church, church building or church house is a building used for Christian worship

services and other Christian religious activities. The earliest identified

Christian church is a house church founded between 233 and 256. From the 11th
through the 14th centuries, there was a wave of church construction in Western
Europe.

Sometimes, the word church is used by analogy for the buildings of other religions.
[1] Church is also used to describe the Christian religious community as a whole,
or a body or an assembly of Christian believers around the world.[2]

In traditional Christian architecture, the plan view of a church often forms a

Christian cross; the center aisle and seating representing the vertical beam with
the bema and altar forming the horizontal. Towers or domes may inspire
contemplation of the heavens. Modern churches have a variety of architectural
styles and layouts. Some buildings designed for other purposes have been converted
to churches, while many original church buildings have been put to other uses.

Contents
1 Etymology
2 History
2.1 Antiquity
2.2 Medieval times
2.2.1 Romanesque architecture
2.2.2 Gothic architecture
2.3 Renaissance
2.4 Baroque architecture
3 Architecture
4 Types
4.1 Basilica
4.2 Cathedral
4.3 Pilgrimage church
4.4 Conventual church
4.5 Chapel
4.6 Proprietary church
4.7 Collegiate church
4.8 Evangelical church structures
4.9 House church
4.10 Alternative buildings
5 See also
6 References
7 Bibliography
8 External links
Etymology

Cyrican is an Old English word for churches and church property

The word church is derived from Old English cirice, "place of assemblage set aside
for Christian worship", from the Proto-Germanic kirika. This was probably borrowed
via the Gothic from the Greek kyriake (oikia), kyriakon doma, "the Lord's (house)",
from kyrios, "ruler, lord". Kyrios in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European
language root *keue meaning "to swell".

The Greek kyriakon, "of the Lord", was used of houses of Christian worship since
c. 300 AD, especially in the East, although it was less common in this sense than
ekklesia or basilike.[3]

History
Antiquity
South facade of the Church of Saint Simeon Stylites in Aleppo, Syria, is considered
to be one of the oldest surviving church buildings in the world
Further information: List of oldest church buildings
The earliest archeologically identified Christian church is a house church (domus
ecclesiae), the Dura-Europos church, founded between 233 and 256.[4]

In the second half of the 3rd century AD, the first purpose-built halls for
Christian worship (aula ecclesiae) began to be constructed. Although many of these
were destroyed early in the next century during the Diocletianic Persecution. Even
larger and more elaborate churches began to appear during the reign of the Emperor
Constantine the Great.[5]

Medieval times
From the 11th through the 14th centuries, a wave of cathedral-building and
construction of smaller parish churches occurred across Western Europe. Besides
serving as a place of worship, the cathedral or parish church was frequently
employed as a general gathering-place by the communities in which they were
located, hosting such events as guild meetings, banquets, mystery plays, and fairs.
Church grounds and buildings were also used for the threshing and storage of grain.
[6]

Romanesque architecture
Between 1000 and 1200 the romanesque style became popular across Europe. The
romanesque style is defined by large and bulky edifices that are typically made up
of simple, compact, sparsely decorated geometric structures. Frequent features of
the Romanesque church include circular arches, round or octagonal towers and
cushion capitals on pillars. In the early romanesque era, coffering on the ceiling
was fashionable, while later in the same era, groined vault gained popularity.
Interiors widened and the motifs of sculptures took on more epic traits and themes.
[7]

Gothic architecture

The Frauenkirche in Munich is a largely Gothic, medieval church.

Las Lajas Shrine is a basilica church located in Colombia. The present temple, of
Gothic Revival style, was built between 1916 and 1949
The Gothic style emerged around 1140 in Île-de-France and subsequently spread
throughout Europe. Gothic churches lost the compact qualities of the romanesque era
and decorations often contained symbolic and allegorical features. The first
pointed arches, rib vaults and buttresses began to appear, all possessing geometric
properties that reduced the need for large, rigid walls to ensure structural
stability. This also permitted the size of windows to increase, producing brighter
and lighter interiors. Nave ceilings became higher and pillars and steeples grew
taller. Many architects used these developments to push the limits of structural
possibility, an inclination which resulted in the collapse of several towers
possessing designs that had unwittingly exceeded the boundaries of soundness. In
Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, it became popular to build hall churches, a
style in which every vault would be built to the same height.

Gothic cathedrals were lavishly designed, as in the romanesque era, and many share
romanesque traits. However, several also exhibit unprecedented degrees of detail
and complexity in decoration. The Notre-Dame de Paris and Notre-Dame de Reims in
France, as well as the San Francesco d’Assisi in Palermo, and the Salisbury
Cathedral and Wool Church in England and Santhome Church in Chennai, India shows
the elaborate stylings characteristic of Gothic cathedrals.

Some of the most well-known gothic churches remained unfinished for centuries,
after the gothic style fell out of popularity. The construction of the Cologne
Cathedral, which was begun in 1248, halted in 1473, and not resumed until 1842 is
one such example.[8]

Renaissance

Lutheran Parish Church of Hallstatt, Upper Austria

In the 15th and 16th century, the change in ethics and society due to the
Renaissance and the Reformation also influenced the building of churches. The
common style was much like the gothic style, but in a simplified way. The basilica
was not the most popular type of church anymore, but instead hall churches were
built. Typical features are columns and classical capitals.[9]

In Protestant churches, where the proclamation of God's Word is of special

importance, the visitor's line of view is directed towards the pulpit.

Baroque architecture

Central nave of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Vilnius, Lithuania, an
example of a Baroque church interior
The Baroque style was first used in Italy around 1575. From there it spread to the
rest of Europe and to the European colonies. During the baroque era, the building
industry increased heavily. Buildings, even churches, were used as indicators for
wealth, authority and influence. The use of forms known from the renaissance were
extremely exaggerated. Domes and capitals were decorated with moulding and the
former stucco sculptures were replaced by fresco paintings on the ceilings. For the
first time, churches were seen as one connected work of art and consistent artistic
concepts were developed. Instead of long buildings, more central-plan buildings
were created. The sprawling decoration with floral ornamentation and mythological
motives raised until about 1720 to the Rococo era.[10]

The Protestant parishes preferred lateral churches, in which all the visitors could
be as close as possible to the pulpit and the altar.[citation needed]

Architecture
Main article: Church architecture

The view of the spire of Norwich Cathedral from the cloisters, in Norfolk, England

Great church hall of the Neoclassical-styled Helsinki Cathedral

A common architecture for churches is the shape of a cross[11] (a long central
rectangle, with side rectangles, and a rectangle in front for the altar space or
sanctuary). These churches also often have a dome or other large vaulted space in
the interior to represent or draw attention to the heavens. Other common shapes for
churches include a circle, to represent eternity, or an octagon or similar star
shape, to represent the church's bringing light to the world. Another common
feature is the spire, a tall tower on the "west" end of the church or over the
crossing.[citation needed]

Another common feature of many Christian churches is the eastwards orientation of

the front altar.[12] Often, the altar will not be oriented due east, but in the
direction of sunrise. This tradition originated in Byzantium in the 4th century,
and became prevalent in the West in the 8th to 9th century. The old Roman custom of
having the altar at the west end and the entrance at the east was sometimes
followed as late as the 11th century even in areas of northern Europe under
Frankish rule, as seen in Petershausen (Constance), Bamberg Cathedral, Augsburg
Cathedral, Regensburg Cathedral, and Hildesheim Cathedral.[13]

Types
Basilica
Main article: Basilica
Further information: Minster (church)
The Latin word basilica was originally used to describe a Roman public building
usually located in the forum of a Roman town.[14][15] After the Roman Empire became
officially Christian, the term came by extension to refer to a large and important
church that has been given special ceremonial rights by the Pope.[citation needed]
The word thus retains two senses today, one architectural and the other
ecclesiastical.

Cathedral
Main articles: Cathedral and Architecture of cathedrals and great churches
Further information: Duomo

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia (today a museum) is a famous and

characteristic example of a Russian Orthodox Church building.
A cathedral is a church, usually Catholic, Anglican, Oriental Orthodox or Eastern
Orthodox, housing the seat of a bishop. The word cathedral takes its name from
cathedra, or Bishop's Throne (In Latin: ecclesia cathedralis). The term is
sometimes (improperly) used to refer to any church of great size.

A church that has the function of cathedral is not necessarily a large building. It
might be as small as Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, England, Porvoo Cathedral
in Porvoo, Finland, Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh, United States, or Chur
Cathedral in Switzerland. However, frequently, the cathedral along with some of the
abbey churches, was the largest building in any region.

St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht, Netherlands

Pilgrimage church
Main article: Pilgrimage church
A pilgrimage church is a church to which pilgrimages are regularly made, or a
church along a pilgrimage route, often located at the tomb of a saints, or holding
icons or relics to which miraculous properties are ascribed, the site of Marian
apparitions, etc.

Conventual church
Further information: Priory and Katholikon

An interior of the Bridgettine's Nådendal Abbey, a medieval Catholic monastery in

Naantali, Finland
A conventual church (or monastery church, minster, katholikon) is the main church
in a Christian monastery or abbey.

Chapel
Main article: Chapel
Further information: Chapel of ease and Sistine Chapel
Proprietary church
Main article: Proprietary church
During the Middle Ages, a proprietary church was a church, abbey or cloister built
on private ground by a feudal lord, over which he retained proprietary interests.

Collegiate church
Main article: Collegiate church
A collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by
a college of canons, which may be presided over by a dean or provost. Collegiate
churches were often supported by extensive lands held by the church, or by tithe
income from appropriated benefices. They commonly provide distinct spaces for
congregational worship and for the choir offices of their clerical community.
Evangelical church structures
The architecture of evangelical places of worship is mainly characterized by its
sobriety.[16][17] The Latin cross is a well known Christian symbol that can usually
be seen on the building of an evangelical church and that identifies the place's
belonging.[18][19] Some services take place in theaters, schools or multipurpose
rooms, rented for Sunday only.[20][21][22] There is usually a baptistery at the
front of the church (in what is known as the chancel in historic traditions) or in
a separate room for baptisms by immersion.[23][24]

Worship service at Christ's Commission Fellowship Pasig affiliated to the Christ's

Commission Fellowship in 2014, in Pasig, Philippines
Worship services take on impressive proportions in the megachurches (churches where
more than 2,000 people gather every Sunday). In some of these megachurches, more
than 10,000 people gather every Sunday. The term gigachurch is sometimes used.[25]
[26] For example, Lakewood Church (United States) or Yoido Full Gospel Church
(South Korea).[27]

House church
In some countries of the world which apply sharia or communism, government
authorizations for worship are complex for Christians.[28][29][30] Because of
persecution of Christians, Evangelical house churches have thus developed.[31] For
example, there is the Evangelical house churches in China movement.[32] The
meetings thus take place in private houses, in secret and in "illegality".[33]

Alternative buildings

A wooden St. Magdalena Church in the Ruhnu Island, Estonia

Further information: Road church and Simultaneum
Old and disused church buildings can be seen as an interesting proposition for
developers as the architecture and location often provide for attractive homes[34]
or city centre entertainment venues[35] On the other hand, many newer churches have
decided to host meetings in public buildings such as schools,[36] universities,[37]
cinemas[38] or theatres.[39]

There is another trend to convert old buildings for worship rather than face the
construction costs and planning difficulties of a new build. Unusual venues in the
UK include a former tram power station,[40] a former bus garage,[41] a former
cinema and bingo hall,[42] a former Territorial Army drill hall,[43] and a former
synagogue.[44] HMS Tees served as a floating church for mariners at Liverpool from
1827 until she sank in 1872.[45] A windmill has also been converted into a church
at Reigate Heath.

There has been an increase in partnerships between church management and private
real estate companies to redevelop church properties into mixed uses. While it has
garnered criticism from some, the partnership offers congregations the opportunity
to increase revenue while preserving the property.[46]

See also
icon Architecture portal
icon Christianity portal
List of largest church buildings
Pub church
Shrine
Tabernacle (Methodist)
Temple
References
Use of the term "The Manichaean Church", Encyclopædia Britannica
"Church | Definition, History, & Types | Britannica".
 "Church". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
Snyder, Graydon F. (2003). Ante Pacem: Archaeological Evidence of Church Life
Before Constantine. Mercer University Press. p. 128.
Hartog, Paul, ed. (February 2010). The Contemporary Church and the Early Church:
Case Studies in Ressourcement. Pickwick Publications. ISBN 978-1606088999. (Chapter
3)
Levy. Cathedrals and the Church. p. 12.
Toman, Rolf (30 April 2015). Romanesque: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting.
h.f.ullmann. ISBN 9783848008407.
Frankl, Paul; Crossley, Paul (2000). Gothic Architecture. Yale University Press.
ISBN 0300087993.
Anderson, Christy (28 February 2013). Renaissance Architecture. OUP Oxford. ISBN
9780192842275.
Merz, Jörg Martin (2008). Pietro Da Cortona and Roman Baroque Architecture. Yale
University Press. ISBN 978-0300111231.
Petit, John Louis (1841). Remarks on Church Architecture ... J. Burns.
"The Institute for Sacred Architecture | Articles | Sacred Places: The
Significance of the Church Building". www.sacredarchitecture.org. Retrieved 16
August 2017.
Heinrich Otte, Handbuch der kirchlichen Kunst-Archäologie des deutschen
Mittelalters (Leipzig 1868), p. 12
The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Art and Architecture (2013 ISBN 978-0-19968027-
6), p. 117
"The Institute for Sacred Architecture - Articles- The Eschatological Dimension of
Church Architecture".
Peter W. Williams, Houses of God: Region, Religion, and Architecture in the United
States, University of Illinois Press, USA, 2000, p. 125
Murray Dempster, Byron D. Klaus, Douglas Petersen, The Globalization of
Pentecostalism: A Religion Made to Travel, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2011, p.
210
Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, Volume 2,
Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2018, p. 32
Anne C. Loveland, Otis B. Wheeler, From Meetinghouse to Megachurch: A Material and
Cultural History, University of Missouri Press, USA, 2003, p. 149
Annabelle Caillou, Vivre grâce aux dons et au bénévolat, ledevoir.com, Canada, 10
November 2018
Helmuth Berking, Silke Steets, Jochen Schwenk, Religious Pluralism and the City:
Inquiries into Postsecular Urbanism, Bloomsbury Publishing, UK, 2018, p. 78
George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United
States, Volume 5, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 1359
William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA,
2009, p. 61
Wade Clark Roof, Contemporary American Religion, Volume 1, Macmillan, UK, 2000, p.
49
Sam Hey, Megachurches: Origins, Ministry, and Prospects, Wipf and Stock
Publishers, USA, 2013, p. 265
Ed Stetzer, Megachurch Research - Terminology, christianitytoday.com, USA, October
9, 2008
Alicia Budich, From Megachurch to "Gigachurch", cbsnews.com, USA, April 6, 2012
Erwin Fahlbusch, Geoffrey William Bromiley, The Encyclopedia of Christianity,
Volume 4, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 2005, p. 163
Yves Mamou, Yves Mamou: «Les persécutions de chrétiens ont lieu en majorité dans
des pays musulmans», lefigaro.fr, France, March 20, 2019
Wesley Rahn, In Xi we trust - Is China cracking down on Christianity?, dw.com,
Germany, January 19, 2018
Allan Heaton Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic
Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, p. 104
Brian Stiller, Evangelicals Around the World: A Global Handbook for the 21st
Century, Thomas Nelson, USA, 2015, p. 328
 Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, Volume 2,
Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2018, p. 364
Alexander, Lucy (14 December 2007). "Church conversions". The Times. London.
Retrieved 30 April 2010.
Site design and technology by Lightmaker.com. "quality food and drink". Pitcher
and Piano. Archived from the original on 31 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October
2011.
"Welcome to the Family Church Christchurch Dorset". The Family Church
Christchurch. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
"Welcome to The Hope Church, Manchester... A Newfrontiers Church based in Salford,
Greater Manchester UK". The-hope.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 February
2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
"Jubilee Church London". jubileechurchlondon.org.
"Welcome to Hillsong Church". Hillsong Church UK. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
"CITY CHURCH NEWCASTLE & GATESHEAD – enjoying God...making friends...changing
lives – Welcome". City-church.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
"Aylsham Community Church". Aylsham Community Church. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
Hall, Reg (2004). Things are different now: A short history of Winchester Family
Church. Winchester: Winchester Family Church. p. 11.
"ABOUT". www.barnabascommunitychurch.com. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
"Where We Meet". City Church Sheffield. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
"Local and General". Leeds Mercury. No. 10660. Leeds. 10 June 1872.
Friedman, Robyn A. "Churches Redeveloping Properties to Give Them New Life". The
Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
Bibliography
Levy, Patricia (2004). Cathedrals and the Church. Medieval World. North Mankato,
MN: Smart Apple Media. ISBN 1-58340-572-0.
Krieger, Herman (1998). Churches ad hoc. PhotoZone Press. ISBN 9780966580969.
Erlande-Brandenburg, Alain, Qu'est-ce qu'une église ?, Gallimard, Paris, 333 p.,
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Gendry Mickael, L’église, un héritage de Rome, Essai sur les principes et méthodes
de l’architecture chrétienne, Religions et Spiritualité, collection Beaux-Arts
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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Church.

Wikiquote has quotations related to Church.

Look up church in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia – Ecclesiastical Buildings
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia – The Church
Prairie Churches Documentary produced by Prairie Public Television
Iowa Places of Worship Documentary produced by Iowa Public Television
Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Ecclesiastical Buildings" . Catholic
Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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