What are the parts of a Catholic church called?

What are the parts of a Catholic church called?

• 1 Vestibule. In the Catholic church, the vestibule is usually the first area encountered upon entering the church.
• 2 Nave. The nave is the area of the church where parishioners, or members of the church, sit or stand.
• 3 Sanctuary.
• 4 Choir Loft.
• 5 Non-Traditional.

What is the entrance of a Catholic church called?

narthex
The narthex is an architectural element typical of early Christian and Byzantine basilicas and churches consisting of the entrance or lobby area, located at the west end of the nave, opposite the church’s main altar.

What are the parts of a Catholic altar?

The Altar: The sacred table on which the sacrifice of the Mass is offered to God; the table from which the faithful receive the Blessed Sacrament. The Ambo: The lectern from which the readings are proclaimed. The Presider’s Chair: The chair on which the priest sits during Mass.

What is the entrance to a Catholic church called?

The narthex is an architectural element typical of early Christian and Byzantine basilicas and churches consisting of the entrance or lobby area, located at the west end of the nave, opposite the church’s main altar. By extension, the narthex can also denote a covered porch or entrance to a building.

What are altar cloths called?

Chalice cloths The pall (palla) is a stiffened square card covered with white linen, usually embroidered with a cross, or some other appropriate symbol. The purpose of the pall is to keep dust and insects from falling into the Eucharistic elements.

What is the layout of a Catholic church?

The crucifix-shaped layout of the Catholic church enables worship and services to be conducted easily. The entryway to the church is the narthex; the church portals are located here. The nave, or center aisle is an elongated rectangle and pews are located to each side.

What is the name of the room where the priest prepares for Mass?

The sacristy
Description. The sacristy is also where the priest and attendants vest and prepare before the service. They will return there at the end of the service to remove their vestments and put away any of the vessels used during the service. The hangings and altar linens are stored there as well.

What is the area around an altar?

The area of a church around the altar is commonly called the Sanctuary. The larger area around the altar is also called the Chancel . However, technically, the sanctuary is actually just a smaller section of the area called the chancel.

What is the altar area of a church called?

A choir, also sometimes called quire, is the area of a church or cathedral that provides seating for the clergy and church choir. It is in the western part of the chancel, between the nave and the sanctuary, which houses the altar and Church tabernacle .

Altar in the Catholic Church. The rite of dedication of a church includes that of the altar of the church and celebration of Mass on that altar is “the principal and the most ancient part of the whole rite” in accordance with the saying of the Fathers of the Church: “This altar should be an object of awe: by nature it is stone,…

What are the parts of an altar?

Form of an altar. The component parts of a fixed altar in the liturgical sense are the table ( mensa ), the support ( stipes) and the sepulchrum. (See ALTAR-CAVITY .) The table must be a single slab of stone firmly joined by cement to the support, so that the table and support together make one piece.