View source for Religion:Church (building)

{{short description|Building used for Christian religious activities}}
{{Christianity|expanded=hide}}
[[File:Madeleine Paris.jpg|thumb|La Madeleine, a Neoclassical, Roman Catholic church in Paris, France.]]
[[File:Interior of St Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia.jpg|thumb|Interior of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia, US]]

A '''church''',  '''church building''' or '''church house''' is a building used for [[Religion:Christian worship|Christian worship]] services and other Christian religious activities. The earliest identified Christian church is a [[Religion:House church|house church]] founded between 233 and 256. From the 11th through the 14th centuries, there was a wave of church construction in [[Place:Western Europe|Western Europe]].

Sometimes, the word ''church'' is used by [[Analogy|analogy]] for the buildings of other religions.<ref>Use of the term [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/362167/Manichaeism "The Manichaean Church"], ''Encyclopædia Britannica''</ref> ''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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/church-Christianity|title = Church &#124; Definition, History, & Types &#124; Britannica}}</ref> 

In traditional Christian architecture, the plan view of a church often forms a Christian cross; the center [[Engineering:Aisle|aisle]] and seating representing the vertical beam with the bema and altar forming the horizontal. Towers or domes may inspire contemplation of the [[Unsolved:Heaven|heaven]]s. 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.

==Etymology==
[[File:Anglo-Saxon Chronicle - cyrican.jpg|thumb|''Cyrican'' is an Old English word for churches and church property]]

The word ''church'' is derived from [[Social:Old English|Old English]] ''cirice'', "place of assemblage set aside for Christian worship", from [[Social:Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic language]] Kirika. This was probably borrowed via the [[Social:Gothic language|Gothic]] from Greek ''kyriake (oikia''), ''kyriakon doma'' "the Lord's (house)", from [[Religion:Kyrios|kyrios]] "ruler, lord," from the [[Social:Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European language]] root; Keue meaning "to swell". Greek ''kyriakon'' "of the Lord" was used of houses of Christian worship since c. 300, especially in the East, although it was less common in this sense than ''ekklesia'' or ''[[Religion:Basilica|basilike]]''.<ref name="OEtymDChurch">{{Cite web |title=Church |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=church |access-date=8 August 2016 |website=Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref>

==History==

===Antiquity===
[[File:Church of Saint Simeon Stylites 01.jpg|thumb|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]]
{{See|List of oldest church buildings}}
The earliest archeologically identified Christian church is a [[Religion:House church|house church]] (''domus ecclesiae''), the Dura-Europos church, founded between 233 and 256.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Snyder |first=Graydon F. |title=Ante Pacem: Archaeological Evidence of Church Life Before Constantine |publisher=Mercer University Press |year=2003 |pages=128}}</ref>

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 [[Religion:Diocletianic Persecution|Diocletianic Persecution]]. Even larger and more elaborate churches began to appear during the reign of the Emperor Constantine the Great.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hlqUCgAAQBAJ&q=early+church+buildings&pg=PT70 |title=The Contemporary Church and the Early Church: Case Studies in Ressourcement |date=February 2010 |publisher=Pickwick Publications |isbn=978-1606088999 |editor-last=Hartog |editor-first=Paul}} (Chapter 3)</ref>

===Medieval times===
From the 11th through the 14th centuries, a wave of cathedral-building and construction of smaller [[Religion:Parish church|parish church]]es occurred across [[Place:Western Europe|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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Levy |title=Cathedrals and the Church |page=12}}</ref>

==== Romanesque architecture ====
Between 1000 and 1200 the romanesque style became popular across [[Earth:Europe|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 [[Earth:Arch|circular arches]], round or [[Octagon|octagon]]al 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Toman |first=Rolf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g3HgsgEACAAJ&q=romanesque+architecture |title=Romanesque: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting |date=2015-04-30 |publisher=h.f.ullmann |isbn=9783848008407 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Gothic architecture ====
[[File:Frauenkirche München abends.jpg|thumb|The Frauenkirche in Munich is a largely Gothic, medieval church.]]
[[File:Santuario de Las Lajas, Ipiales, Colombia, 2015-07-21, DD 21-23 HDR.jpg|thumb|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 [[Symbol|symbol]]ic and allegorical features. The first pointed arches, [[Engineering:Rib vault|rib vault]]s 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, {{wipe|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.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Frankl |first1=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LBZ6781vvOwC&q=gothic+architecture |title=Gothic Architecture |last2=Crossley |first2=Paul |date=2000 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=0300087993 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Renaissance ===
[[File:Hallstatt evangelische Kirche 20180206.jpg|thumb|Lutheran Parish Church of Hallstatt, Upper Austria]]
In the 15th and 16th century, the change in ethics and society due to the [[Philosophy:Renaissance|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 [[Religion:Basilica|basilica]] was not the most popular type of church anymore, but instead hall churches were built. Typical features are columns and classical capitals.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Anderson |first=Christy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=70m1KbuD5YoC&q=renaissance+architecture |title=Renaissance Architecture |date=2013-02-28 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=9780192842275 |language=en}}</ref>

In [[Religion:Protestantism|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 ===
[[File:St. Peter and St. Paul's Church 1, Vilnius, Lithuania - Diliff.jpg|thumb|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 [[Philosophy:Renaissance|renaissance]] were extremely exaggerated. [[Engineering:Dome|Dome]]s 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Merz |first=Jörg Martin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eaC7yKbxj8UC&q=baroque+architecture |title=Pietro Da Cortona and Roman Baroque Architecture |date=2008 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0300111231 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Religion:Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Religion:Parish|parish]]es preferred lateral churches, in which all the visitors could be as close as possible to the pulpit and the altar.{{cn|date=January 2022}}

==Architecture==
[[File:Norwich Cathedral from Cloisters, Norfolk, UK - Diliff.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The view of the spire of Norwich Cathedral from the cloisters, in Norfolk, England]]
[[File:Interior of the Helsinki Cathedral.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Great church hall of the Neoclassical-styled Helsinki Cathedral]]
A common architecture for churches is the shape of a cross<ref>{{Cite book |last=Petit |first=John Louis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dqIZAAAAYAAJ |title=Remarks on Church Architecture ... |date=1841 |publisher=J. Burns |language=en}}</ref> (a long central rectangle, with side rectangles, and a rectangle in front for the altar space or sanctuary). These churches also often have a [[Engineering:Dome|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|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.{{cn|date=January 2022}}

Another common feature of many Christian churches is the [[Orientation of churches|eastwards orientation]] of the front altar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Institute for Sacred Architecture {{!}} Articles {{!}} Sacred Places: The Significance of the Church Building |url=http://www.sacredarchitecture.org/articles/sacred_places_the_significance_of_the_church_building/ |access-date=2017-08-16 |website=www.sacredarchitecture.org}}</ref> 
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.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=sX8w667tblMC&pg=PA12&dq=%22XI+Jahrh+fortgedauert%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwir9NbtjObLAhWHDg8KHUFVA8kQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=%22XI%20Jahrh%20fortgedauert%22&f=false Heinrich Otte, ''Handbuch der kirchlichen Kunst-Archäologie des deutschen Mittelalters'' (Leipzig 1868), p. 12]</ref>

==Types==
===Basilica===
{{main article|Religion:Basilica}}
{{see|Minster (church)}}
The [[Social:Latin|Latin]] word ''basilica'' was originally used to describe a [[History:Ancient Rome|Roman]] public building usually located in the forum of a Roman town.<ref name="OXFORD1">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Te2dAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA117 ''The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Art and Architecture''] (2013 {{ISBN|978-0-19968027-6}}), p. 117</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Institute for Sacred Architecture - Articles- The Eschatological Dimension of Church Architecture |url=http://www.sacredarchitecture.org/articles/the_eschatological_dimension_of_church_architecture}}</ref> After the Roman Empire became [[Religion:Edict of Thessalonica|officially Christian]], the term came by extension to refer to a large and important church that has been given special ceremonial rights by the [[Religion:Pope|Pope]].{{cn|date=January 2022}} The word thus retains two senses today, one architectural and the other ecclesiastical.

===Cathedral===
{{see|Duomo}}
[[File:Sant Vasily cathedral in Moscow.JPG|thumb|upright=0.8|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 [[Organization:Catholic Church|Catholic]], Anglican, Oriental Orthodox or Eastern Orthodox, housing the seat of a bishop. The word cathedral takes its name from ''[[Religion:Cathedra|cathedra]]'', or Bishop's Throne (In {{lang-la|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 [[Place:Chur|Chur]] Cathedral in Switzerland. However, frequently, the cathedral along with some of the abbey churches, was the largest building in any region.
[[File:DomTorenUtrechtNederland.jpg|thumb|right|St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht, Netherlands]]

===Pilgrimage church===
{{main|Religion: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 [[Unsolved:Marian apparition|Marian apparition]]s, etc.

===Conventual church===
{{see|Priory|Katholikon}}
[[File:Church of Naantali inside 2.jpg|thumb|An interior of the Bridgettine's Nådendal Abbey, a medieval Catholic monastery in Naantali, Finland]]
A conventual church (or monastery church, [[Religion:Minster (church)|minster]], ''[[Religion:Katholikon|katholikon]]'') is the main church in a Christian monastery or [[Religion:Abbey|abbey]].

===Chapel===
{{main|Religion:Chapel}}
{{see|Chapel of ease|Sistine Chapel}}

===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|Religion:Collegiate church}}
A collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of [[Religion:Canon (priest)|canons]], which may be presided over by a dean or [[Religion:Provost|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===
[[File:Église des Assemblées de Dieu – Temple Salem de Cotonou.jpg|thumb|right|Cotonou Salem Temple, affiliated to the Assemblies of God, in Cotonou, in Benin, 2018]]
The architecture of [[Religion:Evangelicalism|evangelical]] places of worship is mainly characterized by its sobriety.<ref>Peter W. Williams, ''Houses of God: Region, Religion, and Architecture in the United States'', University of Illinois Press, USA, 2000, p. 125</ref><ref>Murray Dempster, Byron D. Klaus, Douglas Petersen, ''The Globalization of Pentecostalism: A Religion Made to Travel'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2011, p. 210</ref> 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.<ref>Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, Volume 2'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2018, p. 32</ref><ref>Anne C. Loveland, Otis B. Wheeler, '' From Meetinghouse to Megachurch: A Material and Cultural History'', University of Missouri Press, USA, 2003, p. 149</ref> Some services take place in theaters, schools or multipurpose rooms, rented for Sunday only.<ref name="Caillou">Annabelle Caillou, [https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/541071/vivre-grace-aux-dons-et-au-benevolat Vivre grâce aux dons et au bénévolat], ledevoir.com, Canada, 10 November 2018</ref><ref>Helmuth Berking, Silke Steets, Jochen Schwenk, ''Religious Pluralism and the City: Inquiries into Postsecular Urbanism'', Bloomsbury Publishing, UK, 2018, p. 78</ref><ref>George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 1359</ref> 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 [[Religion:Immersion baptism|baptisms by immersion]].<ref>William H. Brackney, ''Historical Dictionary of the Baptists'', Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 61</ref><ref>Wade Clark Roof, ''Contemporary American Religion, Volume 1'', Macmillan, UK, 2000, p. 49</ref>

===Alternative buildings===
[[File:Ruhnu Püha Magdaleena kirik, Ruhnu puukirik 16.jpg|thumb|upright|A wooden St. Magdalena Church in the Ruhnu Island, Estonia]]
{{see|Road church|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<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Lucy |date=14 December 2007 |title=Church conversions |work=The Times |location=London |url=http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/new_homes/article3047285.ece |access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> or city centre entertainment venues<ref>{{Cite web |last=Site design and technology by Lightmaker.com |title=quality food and drink |url=http://www.pitcherandpiano.com/locations/bar.cfm?area=Nottingham |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031113829/http://www.pitcherandpiano.com/locations/bar.cfm?area=nottingham |archive-date=31 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2011 |publisher=Pitcher and Piano}}</ref> On the other hand, many newer churches have decided to host meetings in public buildings such as schools,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Family Church Christchurch Dorset |url=http://www.familychurchchristchurch.org.uk |access-date=18 October 2011 |publisher=The Family Church Christchurch}}</ref> universities,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to The Hope Church, Manchester... A Newfrontiers Church based in Salford, Greater Manchester UK |url=http://www.the-hope.org.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202171948/http://www.the-hope.org.uk/ |archive-date=2 February 2010 |access-date=18 October 2011 |publisher=The-hope.org.uk}}</ref> cinemas<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jubilee Church London |url=http://www.jubileechurchlondon.org |website=jubileechurchlondon.org}}</ref> or theatres.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Hillsong Church |url=http://hillsong.com/uk/ |access-date=25 November 2016 |website=Hillsong Church UK}}</ref>

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,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CITY CHURCH NEWCASTLE & GATESHEAD – enjoying God...making friends...changing lives – Welcome |url=http://www.city-church.co.uk |access-date=18 October 2011 |publisher=City-church.co.uk}}</ref> a former bus garage,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aylsham Community Church |url=http://www.aylshamcommunitychurch.org |access-date=18 October 2011 |publisher=Aylsham Community Church}}</ref> a former cinema and bingo hall,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hall |first=Reg |title=Things are different now: A short history of Winchester Family Church |publisher=Winchester Family Church |year=2004 |location=Winchester |page=11}}</ref> a former Territorial Army drill hall,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ABOUT |url=http://www.barnabascommunitychurch.com/about.html |access-date=5 December 2016 |website=www.barnabascommunitychurch.com}}</ref> and a former synagogue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where We Meet |url=http://www.citychurchsheffield.org.uk/where-we-meet |access-date=5 December 2016 |website=City Church Sheffield}}</ref> {{HMS|Tees|1817|6}} served as a floating church for mariners at Liverpool from 1827 until she sank in 1872.<ref name="LM100672">{{Cite news |date=10 June 1872 |title=Local and General |work=Leeds Mercury |issue=10660 |location=Leeds}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Friedman |first=Robyn A. |title=Churches Redeveloping Properties to Give Them New Life |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/churches-redeveloping-properties-to-give-them-new-life-1443519001 |access-date=2015-10-23 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

==See also==
* List of largest church buildings
* Pub church
* Shrine
* [[Religion:Tabernacle (Methodist)|Tabernacle (Methodist)]]
* Temple

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{Cite book |last=Levy |first=Patricia |url=https://archive.org/details/cathedralschurch0000unse |title=Cathedrals and the Church |publisher=Smart Apple Media |year=2004 |isbn=1-58340-572-0 |series=Medieval World |location=North Mankato, MN |url-access=registration}}
*{{Cite book |last=Krieger |first=Herman |url=https://archive.org/details/churchesadhoc00herm |title=Churches ad hoc |publisher=PhotoZone Press |year=1998 |isbn=9780966580969 |url-access=registration}}
* Erlande-Brandenburg, Alain, Qu'est-ce qu'une église ?, Gallimard, Paris, 333 p., 2010.
* Gendry Mickael, L’église, un héritage de Rome, Essai sur les principes et méthodes de l’architecture chrétienne, Religions et Spiritualité, collection Beaux-Arts architecture religion, édition Harmattan 2009, 267 p.

==External links==
{{commons|Church}}
<!--Do not add links to your local church here. They will be deleted.
This section is only for information on churches in the widest sense.
See Wikipedia:External links for our policy on external links.-->
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03041a.htm New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia – Ecclesiastical Buildings]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia – The Church]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcfLSpJXo0w Prairie Churches] Documentary produced by Prairie Public Television
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121116155347/http://www.iptv.org/iowastories/story.cfm/worship/9640/iowa_places_of_worship_2007/video Iowa Places of Worship] Documentary produced by Iowa Public Television
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=Ecclesiastical Buildings}}



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[[Category:Christian terminology]]

{{Sourceattribution|Church (building)}}