Learn and talk about Chancel, Church architecture Twitter This article's introduction may be too long for the length of the article. Please help by moving some material from it into the body of the article. Please read the layout guide and lead section guidelines to ensure the section will still be inclusive of all essential details. Please discuss this issue on the article's talk page . (December 2016) Plan of a large Latin cross church, with the chancel (strict definition) highlighted. This chancel terminates in a semicircular sanctuary in the apse , and is separated from the curved eastern walls by an ambulatory . Plan with the broader definition of the chancel highlighted View from the nave of the chancel of Condom Cathedral in France, with ambulatories and two altars, the modern one in the choir A medium-sized English church showing the nave, chancel arch, and a chancel with choir and sanctuary In church architecture , the chancel is the space around the altar , including the choir and the sanctuary (sometimes called the presbytery), at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. [1] It may terminate in an apse .

It is generally the area used by the clergy and choir during worship, while the congregation is in the nave . This is one definition, sometimes called the "strict" one; in practice in churches where the eastern end contains other elements such as an ambulatory and side chapels, these are also often counted as part of the chancel, especially when discussing architecture. [2] In smaller churches, where the altar is backed by the outside east wall, and there is no distinct choir, the chancel and sanctuary may be the same area. In churches with a retroquire area behind the altar, this may only be included in the broader definition of chancel. In a cathedral or other large church there may be a distinct choir area at the start of the chancel (looking from the nave), before reaching the sanctuary, and an ambulatory may run beside and behind it. All these may be included in the chancel, at least in architectural terms (see above). In many churches, the altar has now been moved to the front of the chancel, in what was built as the choir area, or to the centre of the transept, somewhat confusing the distinction between chancel, choir and sanctuary.

In churches with less traditional plans the term may not be useful in either architectural or ecclesiastical terms. The chancel may be a step or two higher than the level of the nave, and the sanctuary is often raised still further. The chancel is very often separated from the nave by altar rails , or a rood screen , a sanctuary bar, or an open space, and its width and roof height is often different from that of the nave; usually the chancel will be narrower and lower. In churches with a traditional Latin cross plan, and a transept and central crossing , the chancel usually begins at the eastern side of the central crossing, often under an extra-large chancel arch supporting the crossing and the roof. This is an arch which separates the chancel from the nave and transept of a church. [3] If the chancel, strictly defined as choir and sanctuary, does not fill the full width of a medieval church, there will usually be some form of low wall or screen at its sides, demarcating it from the ambulatory or parallel side chapels. As well as the altar, the sanctuary may house a credence table and seats for officiating and assisting ministers .

In some churches, the congregation may gather on three sides or in a semicircle around the chancel. In some churches, the pulpit and lectern may be in the chancel, but in others these, especially the pulpit, are in the nave . Contents History[ edit ] In Early Christian architecture the templon was a barrier dividing off the sanctuary from the rest of the church; in Eastern Christianity this developed into different arrangements from those of the Western church, with the sanctuary often not visible by the congregation. In the West the ciborium , an open-walled but usually roofed structure sheltering the altar, became common, and was originally fitted with curtains that were drawn and pulled back at different points in the Mass, in a way that some Oriental Orthodox churches still practice today. A large (or "deep") chancel made most sense in monasteries and cathedrals where there was a large number of singing clergy and boys from a choir school to occupy the choir.

In many orders "choir monk" was a term used to distinguish the educated monks who had taken full vows, or were training to do so, from another class, called "lay brothers" or other terms, who had taken lesser vows and mostly did manual tasks, including farming the monastery's land. These usually sat in the nave, with any lay congregation. Following the exposition of the doctrine of transubstantiation at the fourth Lateran Council of 1215, clergy were required to ensure that the blessed sacrament was to be kept protected from irreverent access or abuse; and accordingly the area of the church used by the lay congregation was to be screened off from that used by the clergy. This distinction was enforced by the development of canon law , by which the construction and upkeep of the chancel was the responsibility of the rector , whereas the construction and upkeep of the nave was the responsibility of the parish . Barriers demarcating the chancel became increasing elaborate, but were largely swept away after both the Protestant Reformation and then the Counter-Reformation prioritized the congregation having a good view of what was happening in the chancel.

Now the low communion rail is generally the only barrier; despite being essentially a Counter-Reformation invention, this has proved useful and accepted in the Protestant churches that dispense communion. However the screen enjoyed a small revival in the 19th century, after the passionate urgings of Augustus Pugin , who wrote A Treatise on Chancel Screens and Rood Lofts, [4] and others. After the Reformation Protestant churches generally moved the altar (now often called the communion table ) forward, typically to the front of the chancel, and often used lay choirs who were placed in a gallery at the west end. The rear of deep chancels became little used in churches surviving from the Middle Ages, and new churches very often omitted one. With the emphasis on sermons, and their audibility, some churches simply converted their chancels to seat part of the congregation. In 19th-century England one of the battles of the Cambridge Camden Society , the architectural wing of the Anglo-Catholics in the Church of England , was to restore the chancel as a necessary part of a church.

By pushing the altar back to its medieval position and having the choir used by a lay choir, they were largely successful in this, although the harder end of the High Church objected to allowing a large group of laity into the chancel. [5] Different approaches to worship in the 20th century again tended to push altars in larger churches forward, to be closer to the congregation, and the chancel again risks being a less used area of the church. The word "chancel" derives from the French usage of chancel from the Late Latin word cancellus ("lattice"). [1] [6] This refers to the typical form of rood screens. The chancel was formerly known as the presbytery, because it was reserved for the clergy . [7] Original courtesy of Wikipedia: — Please support Wikipedia. This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia . A portion of the proceeds from advertising on Digplanet goes to supporting Wikipedia. We're sorry, but there's no news about "Chancel" right now. Limit to books that you can completely read online Include partial books (book previews) Oops, we seem to be having trouble contacting Twitter Support Wikipedia A portion of the proceeds from advertising on Digplanet goes to supporting Wikipedia.

Please add your support for Wikipedia! Searchlight Group Digplanet also receives support from Searchlight Group. Visit Searchlight Copyright © 2009-2017 Digparty. All rights reserved. * Altar (Architecture) - Definition,meaning - Online Encyclopedia HumanitiesWeb.org - Glossary definition: Altarpiece Altarpiece A devotional piece of art place above or behind the altar in a Christian church ... Altar The altar is the table in the chancel that the clergy use for Communion. During the Protestant Reformation, some people felt that the traditional term was theologically misleading. As a result, many people preferred to call it a Communion Table . Altar - the holiest part of a church . In the medieval period the altar was a table or rectangular slab made of stone or marble, often set upon a raised step. After the Reformation the stone altars were replaced by wooden communion table s. Altar - originally a structure on which offerings to a god were placed, often for sacrifice. In the Christian Church , the altar is often in the form of a stone table, can be elaborately carved, and containing relics.

altar Originally a stone table or block containing relics, consecrated for the celebration of the Eucharist. Nowadays most altars are simply wooden tables. View Site reports using this term. altarpiece : see retable anglo norman : refers to the period when, after the conquest of England by William of Norman dy in 1066, political but also cultural -hence architectural- cross-Channel influences were fundamental. For instance, the church es on both side of the Channel have very much in common. Altar panel. Large painting of a religious subject, situated above an altar in a church . Alto-rilievo (High relief ). Technique of sculpting in which the figures are considerably raised or detached from the back ground . In a bas-relief the figures are only slight ly raised from the surface. Altar. Elevated slab consecrated for the celebration of the Eucharist Sometimes in a form called a communion Table . Altarpiece . Altar Sometimes called the Communion Table . A table, often with a cross standing on it, on which the bread and wine and placed for the service of Communion (sometimes called Eucharist).

Altar: Elevated structure located in the choir at the east end of the church , where religious rites are performed (fig.1). Altar A table like structure for the celebration of the Sacraments in a Christian building; for sacrifice or offerings in antiquity. Image courtesy of Gretchen Range r An aisle around the apse at the east end of a church . altar The focal point of a place of worship, raised platform or table where ceremonies are performed. alter To change in any manner. anthemion a stylized representation o the honeysuckle flower , most often used in conjunction with palmette s in a frieze . Altar (a) any structure used as a place of sacrifice or worship; (b) a tablelike structure used in a Christian church to celebrate the Eucharist. Altar A raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made. For Christian and Hebrew examples in the Buffalo area, see Buffalo's House s of Worship on Buffalo as an Architectural Museum Website ... Altar canopy Decorated ceiling either suspended over (as in a tester ) or directly above the altar. The idea is simply to draw especial attention to the important feature below. Altar frontal ...

altar In the Roman Church , a table at which the celebration of the Eucharist takes place. It is placed in a prominent place in the church , usually in the choir facing the main entrance to the church . See also retable , chapel , choir ... High Altar The main altar in a church at which the Eucharist (Mass, Holy Communion) is celebrated. May be made of wood or stone. Annulet : A circular finish ing found on pillar s or piers , sometimes decorated with carvings. Archivolt : An ornament al molding seen often in arch shaped portal s following the lines of the face with sculpted figures. altar - a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made arcade , colonnade - a structure composed of a series of arches support ed by columns arch - ( architecture ) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and support ing the weight above it ... ALTAR TOMB: Monument with a tomb chest. They were never actually usedas altars. ARCHIVOLT S: bands or moulding s surrounding an arched opening. An altarpiece of about 1475 proves very influential in this same respect when it reaches Florence.

Tommaso Portinari, the agent in Bruges for the Medici bank, commissions from Hugo van der Goes an altarpiece for the church of St Egidio in which his family has a chapel . The altar of the pompous St. John's Co- Cathedral (high Baroque ) The island of Malta contains a variety of Baroque architecture , most importantly in the capital city of Valletta. Master altar blessed. Soon after, the altar was covered by a great dais support ed by four antique columns. 1520 Painter Jacques Charles decorated dais with gold and azure blue. First stone laid on south transept facade . On the altar appears the Ciborium of King Arnulf: This ciborium , an object intended to house the sacrament, was apparently made about 870 for Charles the Bald. The ciborium was presented by King Odo or Charles the Simple to King Arnulf in about 896. An outdoor altar made from a pile of stones, norma lly square, which may mark a special grave.

Light View from the alter from inside the re mains of the temple ( megaron ) View of the inside the re mains of the Propylaia of the sanctuary View at the water channel outside of the temple ( megaron ) ... altarpiece s: a painted or carved panel or winged structure placed at the back of or behind an altar; contains religious imagery, often specific to the place of worship for which it was made diptych-two panels of equal size (usually decorated with paintings or relief ) hinged together ... Iconostasi : an altar screen embellished with icons running across an entire end of a church . At first, an iconostasis was just a small wall that served as a symbolic marker of the division between the sanctuary and the nave (or between heaven and earth). ALTAR RAIL : a rail placed in front of the altar, both to protect the altar area ( sanctuary ) and for the congregation to kneel at to receive Communion. AMBULATORY : lower aisle on the outer side of an apse (qv). REREDOS : a painted, carved or sculptured screen , above and behind an altar. RESPOND : a half- pier attached to a wall.

RETABLE : a picture or piece of carving behind an altar. apse A semicircular area; in most church es it contains the altar. arabesque Ornament consisting of garlands of foliage with figures, fancifully interlace d to form graceful curves and painted, inlaid, or carved in low relief . Chancel - the space surrounding the altar of a church . Chemin de ronde - rare in England, very characteristic of French castle s, this is the ' crown ' at the top of a round tower , a machicolated gallery below or rep lacing the parapet . The Ghent Altarpiece (completed 1432, Saint Bavon, Ghent), one of the most famous works of the Renaissance , is a large polyptych consisting of two hinged panels, painted on both sides, that open to reveal a two-tiered central panel. There is a decent chapel covered with tiles, a portable altar, and a small cross. In the hall are four tables on trestles. There are likewise a good kitchen covered with tiles, with a furnace and ovens, one large, the other small, for cakes, two tables, and alongside the kitchen a small house for baking.

Within, simple benches on the tiled floor face a tiered altar that has an ornately carved lacelike wooden screen . Two openings are on the screen ’s sides, while the soaring center opening reveal s the altar facing the rear wall. Patrick's, Dublin; Ely, presbytery , Southwell choir , Netley and Rievaulx Abbey s, together with the "Nine Altars" of Durham and Fountain s, all completed between the years 1225 and 1250, the peculiar qualities of English work had taken on a definite and very beautiful form. Carlino oval longitudinally, that is, with the entrance at one tip and the high altar at the other... The temple is preceded by a long columned mandapa into which earlier shrine s and altars have been incorporated. A corridor surrounds the principle shrine on four sides, presenting a continuous sequence of receding piers .The Vardhamana temple is the most important Vaishanava temple . CHANCEL : The east end of a church in which the main altar is placed, sometimes divided from the nave by a chancel arch or a Rood Screen . CHEVRON : A V-shaped ornament , superficial or moulded.

A succession of chevron s produces the zig-zag effect. Crypt , under ground chamber beneath the altar in a church , usually containing a saint's relics. It sometimes extends as far as the crossing , so that the choir and altar are sometimes considerably higher than the nave and aisle . Engaged column , a column embedded in a wall, not free standing. ... A set of three paintings often on panels that are related in subject matter, often seen as a backdrop to the high altar in a church . Renaissance altarpiece s often followed this format, with the two outer panels hinged so that they could fold like doors in front of the main, center panel. retable (retablo): painted or carved screen behind an altar. retrochoir : space to the east of the choir and high altar . revetment : (1) wall support ing a mass of earth or water; (2) facing , especially of marble, to a wall built of another material. Basilica - Rectangular hall with double colonnade and apse for altar at one (east) end, used by the Roman s for law courts and other assemblies and later for the basic Christian church form.

Usually with a raised central section, with clerestory window s, and the main entrance at the opposite (west) end. chancel - part of the altar for the clergy or choir , bordered by railings. chapel s - the recesses on the sides of aisles in cathedral s and abbey church es. Sometimes known as chantries. CHANCEL -the sanctuary area in a church , near the altar, used by the clergy and choir CLAPBOARD -thin wood plank siding applied horizontally, one overlapping the next COLONNADE -a row of columns usually support ing the base of the roof structure ... Chancel - In church architecture , the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may terminate in an apse . Chandrashala - the circular or horseshoe arch that decorates many Indian cave temple s and shrine s ... RETABLE or REREDOS The screen or decorative wall treatment behind a church 's altar. REVEAL The inside surface of a doorway or window opening, usually the thickness of a wall.

ROTUNDA An internal space, perhaps domed, round, or oval in plan; often part of the circulation pattern in a building. The central part of a church usually flanked by aisles and has the altar at its end. Usually the nave is in the western end of the church and is bounded by the vestibule and the crossing ( transept ). The chancel lies beyond the transept and is on the opposite side to the nave . projecting feature of a vault which is sometimes ornament al, sometimes structural ... Chancel - The space surrounding the altar of a church . Chemise wall - Formed by a series of interlinked or overlapping semicircular bastion s. Relief from the Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), 9 B.C.E. monument is dedicated, marble (Museo dell'Ara Pacis, Rome), photo: Steven Zucker (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) ... Alterpiece : Panel (painted or sculptured) behind and above the altar. - Anchor Bolt : Bolt or threaded rod that secures the sill to the wall. - Apron : Under the stool or inside sill of a window; horizontal. - ... sanctuary .

Area around the altar of a church ; sacred shrine of a god. spandrel . Irregular triangular space between the outside curve of an arch and the rectangular frame enclosing it. Also space between the upper frame of a window and the lower frame of a window above it. A basin with a drain for washing the communion vessels. Usually set into the wall south of an altar. Polychromesearch for term A work of art in many colours. Often used in relation to certain styles of multiple coloured architecture , pottery or sculpture. A. Apse . Semicircular room at the end of the central aisle of a church ; usually house s the altar. B. Transept . (Latin: "trans" - across, through) Transverse arm of cruciform (cross shaped) church crossing the nave at a right angle; shorter arm of a church . An architectural screen or wall above and behind an altar, usually containing painting, sculpture, carving or other decorations. The chancel is the continuation of the nave of a church to the east of the crossing . Inside, it is where the altar stands. Cill or Sill : The horizontal feature at the bottom of a window or door that throws water away from the face of a building.

A shallow basin with a drain for washing sacred vessels, usually set into a wall to the south of the altar PULPIT From the Latin pulpitum meaning scaffold, platform or stage from which the priest would deliver the sermon ... The aedicula has only a decorative function, primarily since the Renaissance it has used as tombs and altars. Aisle Noun ... Its sacredness, often connected with a holy grove, was more important than the building itself, as it contained the open air altar on which the sacrifices were made. choir - Believed to be the most important part of the church in early Gothic cathedral arch itecture. It is the part between the nave and the main altar reserved for the choir and clergy. with moldings , but are generally carved either into heads, foliage, angel s, or animals. Bracket s are very frequently found on the walls inside of church es, especially at the east end of the chancel and aisles , where they support ed statues that were placed near the altars.

As the cathedral s and church es now remain to us -- much of the glass destroyed by savage iconoclasm and brutality, every trace of colour vanished from the walls, while the original altars themselves have been swept away together with their gorgeous hangings and decorations (monstrosities like that of ... Chancel - Definition and synonyms of chancel in the English dictionary. Translation of chancel to 20 languages. chancel Meaning of chancel in the English dictionary DICTIONARY ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD CHANCEL From Old French, from Latin cancellī (plural) lattice. Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance. PRONUNCIATION OF CHANCEL exclamation Chancel is a noun. A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc. WHAT DOES CHANCEL MEAN IN ENGLISH? Chancel In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building, possibly including the choir. It may terminate in an apse.

Following the exposition of the doctrine of transubstantiation at the fourth Lateran Council of 1215, clergy were required to ensure that the blessed sacrament was to be kept protected from irreverent access or abuse; and accordingly the area of the church used by the lay congregation was to be screened off from that used by the clergy. This distinction was enforced by the development of canon law, by which the construction and upkeep of the chancel was the responsibility of the rector, whereas the construction and upkeep of the nave was the responsibility of the parish. As well as the altar, the chancel usually houses the credence table and seats for officiating and assisting ministers. In Anglican and Methodist churches it will usually include the choir. In some traditions, the pulpit and lectern may be in the chancel, but in others these functions are considered proper to the nave. Plan of a Latin cross church, with chancel position highlighted.

Synonyms and antonyms of chancel in the English dictionary of synonyms SYNONYMS WORDS RELATING TO «CHANCEL» chancel cross crossword amnesia jordi screen jacques philippe clue builders church architecture space around altar sanctuary liturgical east traditional christian building possibly including choir terminate news repair liability ancient could under homeowners living within parishes churches built before held liable costs dates chancel define about enclosed other officials origin middle french late latin england what long standing legally enforceable contribute cost merriam webster part contains priest full containing insure against money solicitor Translation of «chancel» into 20 languages TRANSLATOR TRANSLATION OF CHANCEL Find out the translation of chancel to 20 languages with our English multilingual translator . The translations of chancel from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «chancel» in English. List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «chancel».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «CHANCEL» OVER TIME The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «chancel» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «chancel» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day. Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about chancel EXAMPLES 10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «CHANCEL» Discover the use of chancel in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to chancel and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature. 1 Why Do We Wear Ashes?: Nine Lenten Chancel Dramas Each of the nine Lenten dramas offer parts for youth and adults. Performance time is about 10 minutes each. Questions addressed in this book include: Why do we wear ashes? Why do we sing hymns? Why do we confess our sins? Why do we give? Paul L. Larsen, 1991 10 The Place of Narrative: Mural Decoration in Italian ... ...

Castagno, landscape detail 145 122 Rome, Vatican Palace, Cappella Niccolina, Fra Angelico, view of right corner 147 123 Montefalco, San Francesco, chancel, general view 148 124 Montefalco, San Francesco, chancel, Benozzo Gozzoli, ... Marilyn Aronberg Lavin, 1994 10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «CHANCEL» Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term chancel is used in the context of the following news items. 1 Atletico join race to sign £12.5m Liverpool, Newcastle and West … Abdennour, 25, is one of a number of players on Simeone's list according to Spanish newspaper AS, who highlight Anderlecht's Chancel ... «Express.co.uk, Jul 15» 2 St. John's Lutheran Church to hold worship service ... Pastor Tom Ekstrand will lead the service, and the Chancel Choir will sing. The service will focus on the message of “Jesus Feeds 5,000,” and ...

«Journal Standard, Jul 15» 3 Residents celebrate Independence Day on Square with ice cream … Several patriotic songs were performed by the McDonough First United Methodist Chancel Choir, under the direction of John and Ann Keesey. «News-Daily.com, Jul 15» 4 Rural church awarded £52600 to move it into 21st Century The Chancel has also been rendered with cement in the past which isn't great, so that is going to be replaced with lime mortar. "To make the ... «East Lindsey Target, Jul 15» 5 Restoration of Tower and 12th century Walls begins at Portsmouth … Work on the 12th century eastern wall of the chancel will consist of the removal of the cement pointing and its replacement with lime mortar on ... «AboutMyArea, Jul 15» 6 Okaka or Ezekiel to replace Mitrovic? Atletico might use Baston in a deal about Anderlecht defender Chancel Mbemba, who's close to moving to the Spanish capital. Source: ... «Anderlecht-Online.be, Jul 15» 7 Princess Charlotte christening: William and Kate's joy as Britain … ...

with an intricate chancel featuring carved angels, as well as a silver altar, a Florentine marble font and stained glass from the 16th century. «Express.co.uk, Jul 15» 8 Mbemba to undergo Atleti medical? Atletico Madrid are reportedly closing in on the capture of Congolese defender Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht. According to dh.be, the ... «Football Espana, Jul 15» 9 Alderweireld close to sealing Tottenham move ... Toby's departure opens up the door to sign another central defender, with Atleti heavily linked with Chancel Mbemba of Anderlecht. «AtléticoFans.com, Jul 15» 10 Sacred Spaces: Church of the Nativity's Gothic revival in Huntsville There are lecterns at either side of the chancel for reading scripture and for the sermon, and the baptismal font is near the entry door, reminding ... «AL.com, Jul 15» REFERENCE * Liturgical east end (Architecture) - Definition,meaning - Online Encyclopedia liturgical east end: the altar end in a church that is not geographically orientated east/west.

loggia : a gallery or verandah , open on one or more sides, often incorporating an arcade . Chancel - In church architecture , the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may terminate in an apse . Chandrashala - the circular or horseshoe arch that decorates many Indian cave temple s and shrine s ... Chancel - iSnare Free Encyclopedia Chancel This article's introduction may be too long for the length of the article. Please help by moving some material from it into the body of the article. Please read the layout guide and lead section guidelines to ensure the section will still be inclusive of all essential details. Please discuss this issue on the article's talk page . (December 2016) Plan of a large Latin cross church, with the chancel (strict definition) highlighted. This chancel terminates in a semicircular sanctuary in the apse , and is separated from the curved eastern walls by an ambulatory .

Plan with the broader definition of the chancel highlighted View from the nave of the chancel of Condom Cathedral in France, with ambulatories and two altars, the modern one in the choir A medium-sized English church showing the nave, chancel arch, and a chancel with choir and sanctuary In church architecture , the chancel is the space around the altar , including the choir and the sanctuary (sometimes called the presbytery), at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. [1] It may terminate in an apse . It is generally the area used by the clergy and choir during worship, while the congregation is in the nave . This is one definition, sometimes called the "strict" one; in practice in churches where the eastern end contains other elements such as an ambulatory and side chapels, these are also often counted as part of the chancel, especially when discussing architecture. [2] In smaller churches, where the altar is backed by the outside east wall, and there is no distinct choir, the chancel and sanctuary may be the same area. In churches with a retroquire area behind the altar, this may only be included in the broader definition of chancel.

In a cathedral or other large church there may be a distinct choir area at the start of the chancel (looking from the nave), before reaching the sanctuary, and an ambulatory may run beside and behind it. All these may be included in the chancel, at least in architectural terms (see above). In many churches, the altar has now been moved to the front of the chancel, in what was built as the choir area, or to the centre of the transept, somewhat confusing the distinction between chancel, choir and sanctuary. In churches with less traditional plans the term may not be useful in either architectural or ecclesiastical terms. The chancel may be a step or two higher than the level of the nave, and the sanctuary is often raised still further. The chancel is very often separated from the nave by altar rails , or a rood screen , a sanctuary bar, or an open space, and its width and roof height is often different from that of the nave; usually the chancel will be narrower and lower.

In churches with a traditional Latin cross plan, and a transept and central crossing , the chancel usually begins at the eastern side of the central crossing, often under an extra-large chancel arch supporting the crossing and the roof. This is an arch which separates the chancel from the nave and transept of a church. [3] If the chancel, strictly defined as choir and sanctuary, does not fill the full width of a medieval church, there will usually be some form of low wall or screen at its sides, demarcating it from the ambulatory or parallel side chapels. As well as the altar, the sanctuary may house a credence table and seats for officiating and assisting ministers . In some churches, the congregation may gather on three sides or in a semicircle around the chancel. In some churches, the pulpit and lectern may be in the chancel, but in others these, especially the pulpit, are in the nave . Contents 4 External links History In Early Christian architecture the templon was a barrier dividing off the sanctuary from the rest of the church; in Eastern Christianity this developed into different arrangements from those of the Western church, with the sanctuary often not visible by the congregation.

In the West the ciborium , an open-walled but usually roofed structure sheltering the altar, became common, and was originally fitted with curtains that were drawn and pulled back at different points in the Mass, in a way that some Oriental Orthodox churches still practice today. A large (or "deep") chancel made most sense in monasteries and cathedrals where there was a large number of singing clergy and boys from a choir school to occupy the choir. In many orders "choir monk" was a term used to distinguish the educated monks who had taken full vows, or were training to do so, from another class, called "lay brothers" or other terms, who had taken lesser vows and mostly did manual tasks, including farming the monastery's land. These usually sat in the nave, with any lay congregation. Following the exposition of the doctrine of transubstantiation at the fourth Lateran Council of 1215, clergy were required to ensure that the blessed sacrament was to be kept protected from irreverent access or abuse; and accordingly the area of the church used by the lay congregation was to be screened off from that used by the clergy.

This distinction was enforced by the development of canon law , by which the construction and upkeep of the chancel was the responsibility of the rector , whereas the construction and upkeep of the nave was the responsibility of the parish . Barriers demarcating the chancel became increasing elaborate, but were largely swept away after both the Protestant Reformation and then the Counter-Reformation prioritized the congregation having a good view of what was happening in the chancel. Now the low communion rail is generally the only barrier; despite being essentially a Counter-Reformation invention, this has proved useful and accepted in the Protestant churches that dispense communion. However the screen enjoyed a small revival in the 19th century, after the passionate urgings of Augustus Pugin , who wrote A Treatise on Chancel Screens and Rood Lofts, [4] and others. After the Reformation Protestant churches generally moved the altar (now often called the communion table ) forward, typically to the front of the chancel, and often used lay choirs who were placed in a gallery at the west end. The rear of deep chancels became little used in churches surviving from the Middle Ages, and new churches very often omitted one.

With the emphasis on sermons, and their audibility, some churches simply converted their chancels to seat part of the congregation. In 19th-century England one of the battles of the Cambridge Camden Society , the architectural wing of the Anglo-Catholics in the Church of England , was to restore the chancel as a necessary part of a church. By pushing the altar back to its medieval position and having the choir used by a lay choir, they were largely successful in this, although the harder end of the High Church objected to allowing a large group of laity into the chancel. [5] Different approaches to worship in the 20th century again tended to push altars in larger churches forward, to be closer to the congregation, and the chancel again risks being a less used area of the church. The word "chancel" derives from the French usage of chancel from the Late Latin word cancellus ("lattice"). [1] [6] This refers to the typical form of rood screens. The chancel was formerly known as the presbytery, because it was reserved for the clergy .

[7] Notes Exam 1 at Texas A&M University - StudyBlue StudyBlue Last Modified: 2011-09-26 Size: 64 Views: 20 chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building St. Denis Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, 13th century renovations Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, 13th century renovations Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, 13th century renovations Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, 13th century renovations Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France, 1243-1248 St. Etienne Cathedral, Bourges, France, 1195-1250 St. Etienne Cathedral, Bourges, France, 1195-1250 Advertisement St. Etienne Cathedral, Bourges, France, 1195-1250 St. Etienne Cathedral, Bourges, France, 1195-1250 St.

Etienne Cathedral, Bourges, France, 1195-1250 Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres, France, 1194-1230 Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres, France, 1194-1230 Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres, France, 1194-1230 Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres, France, 1194-1230 Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres, France, 1194-1230 Notre Dame Cathedral, Laon, France, 1155-1205 Notre Dame Cathedral, Laon, France, 1155-1205 Notre Dame Cathedral, Laon, France, 1155-1205 Notre Dame Cathedral, Laon, France, 1155-1205 Canterbury Cathedral, England, 1175-1184 Trinity Chapel Canterbury Cathedral, England, 1175-1184 Trinity Chapel Salisbury Cathedral, England, 1220-1258. Cloisters completed 1284.

Salisbury Cathedral, England, 1220-1258. Cloisters completed 1284. Salisbury Cathedral, England, 1220-1258. Cloisters completed 1284. Salisbury Cathedral, England, 1220-1258. Cloisters completed 1284. Salisbury Cathedral, England, 1220-1258. Cloisters completed 1284. Lincoln Cathedral, England, 1192-1280 Notre Dame Cathedral, Amiens, France, 1220-1288 Notre Dame Cathedral, Amiens, France, 1220-1288 Notre Dame Cathedral, Amiens, France, 1220-1288 Notre Dame Cathedral, Amiens, France, 1220-1288 Ely Cathedral, England, 1081-1336. Lady Chapel, begun about 1321, vaults later about 1335 or 1340.

Ely Cathedral, England, 1081-1336. Lady Chapel, begun about 1321, vaults later about 1335 or 1340. Ely Cathedral, England, 1081-1336. Lady Chapel, begun about 1321, vaults later about 1335 or 1340. Ely Cathedral, England, 1081-1336. Lady Chapel, begun about 1321, vaults later about 1335 or 1340. Ely Cathedral, England, 1081-1336. Lady Chapel, begun about 1321, vaults later about 1335 or 1340.

Westminster Abbey, London, England, 1246-1506 Westminster Abbey, London, England, 1246-1506 Westminster Abbey, London, England, 1246-1506 Westminster Abbey, London, England, 1246-1506 King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England, 1446-1515 King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England, 1446-1515 King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England, 1446-1515 Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy, 1279-1310 Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy, 1279-1310 Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy, 1279-1310 Krak des Chevaliers, Syria, 12th century Krak des Chevaliers, Syria, 12th century Krak des Chevaliers, Syria, 12th century Krak des Chevaliers, Syria, 12th century Carcassonne, France 800-1300 (walls 124

8-1290) Carcassonne, France 800-1300 (walls 1248-1290) Carcassonne, France 800-1300 (walls 1248-1290) * The material on this site is created by StudyBlue users.

StudyBlue is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the academic institution or instructor. Words From Our Students "StudyBlue is great for studying. I love the study guides, flashcards and quizzes. So extremely helpful for all of my classes!" Alice , Arizona State University "I'm a student using StudyBlue, and I can 100% say that it helps me so much. Study materials for almost every subject in school are available in StudyBlue. It is so helpful for my education!" Tim , University of Florida "StudyBlue provides way more features than other studying apps, and thus allows me to learn very quickly!??I actually feel much more comfortable taking my exams after I study with this app. It's amazing!" Jennifer , Rutgers University "I love flashcards but carrying around physical flashcards is cumbersome and simply outdated. StudyBlue is exactly what I was looking for!" Justin , LSU Church Architecture Glossary See rood screen . Chapel A chapel can either be an alcove with an altar in a large church, or a separate building that is smaller than a full-sized church. Chapels have the same function as church buildings and are equipped the same way, but they are usually dedicated to special use.

For example, a large estate might have a chapel in which worship services are held for family members, staff, and guests. If a church builds a new and larger sanctuary, but keeps the old one, the old one is often called a chapel. Communion Table See altar . East Wall The wall behind the altar, as viewed from the nave , is the “east wall,” no matter what direction you are actually facing. In the past, all church buildings faced east, and it is still the case for eastern Orthodox churches today. A person who enters the church goes from west to east, which symbolizes going from the evil of the present world to the glory of the New Jerusalem to come. High Altar A large church may have several altars. The term high altar refers to the main altar in the chancel. Other altars may be located on the sides of the nave or in separate chapels in the same building. Historic Floor Plan: As viewed by a worshiper seated among the congregation , there are two speaker’s stands on either side of the front of the church. The one on the left is called the pulpit , and it is used by clergy to read the gospel lesson and to preach the sermon.

Accordingly, the left side of the church is called the gospel side. The on the right is called the lectern . It generally holds a large Bible and is used by lay readers for the Old Testament and epistle lessons. Accordingly, the right side of the church is called the epistle side. The communion table stands centered behind the lecterns. If there is enough room, the communion table is placed away from the wall so that the celebrant may face the congregation during communion. The choir may be located behind the congregation, to one or both sides of the sanctuary , or even on the opposite side of the communion table from the congregation. The choir is most often not in direct sight of the congregation. The wall that the congregation faces during worship is called the ‘east wall’ regardless of the actual compass direction, because of the ancient practice, inherited from Judaism, of facing Jerusalem during prayers. The simplest and easiest shape for a room is a square or rectangle, because it is easier and less expensive to build a straight wall than a curved wall. In the historic floor plan, the chancel is on the short wall of the rectangle. That results in a long aisle and pews in the back that are quite some distance from the front.

There are two modern variants on the historic plan; one is to put the chancel on the long side of the rectangle and the other is to make a square room and put the chancel in one of the corners. In these variants, the pews are either curved or placed at angles so that everyone in the congregation faces the chancel. The result is that everyone is closer to the chancel. For example, I attended a church with a nave that could seat over 400 people. The nave was a rectangle with the chancel on the long side, so that despite the size of the nave, no one sat more than eleven pews back from the chancel. Orthodox churches also follow this plan, except that they actually do face east, the nave is square rather than rectangular, and there are normally no pews. (The congregation stands.) See also iconostasis . You can see a diagram and get more information about historic church interiors . Icon An icon is a highly stylized religious painting on wood. The icon follows detailed artistic conventions, which include the lack of perspective and unearthly colors. The icons are deliberately unrealistic so that they edify faith without causing idolatry.

In an Orthodox church, no matter where you look, there’s an icon—and that is the whole idea. It is nearly impossible to be in an Orthodox church without thinking spiritual thoughts all the time. The subject and placement of the icons is significant. An illiterate person could learn the whole gospel just by looking around. Iconostasis In Orthodox churches, the chancel and the nave are separated by a partition that generally does not reach all the way to the ceiling. It is covered with icons whose subject and placement is significant. It is called an iconostasis—it is essentially an icon stand. The iconostasis has three doors, two on each side so the clergy can enter and leave the chancel, and one in the middle that, when open, gives the congregation a view of the celebrant and the altar. In Orthodox worship, the nave represents earth, the chancel represents heaven, and the iconostasis is the barrier that prevents us from seeing heaven from earth. The celebrant opens the middle door at appropriate times when heaven is revealed to people on earth. The western equivalent is called a rood screen .

Kneeler In churches where it is customary to kneel for prayer, there is often a long, narrow padded bar at the base of pew in front of you, which can be tilted down for kneeling and tilted up to make it easier to get in and out of the pew. Most often the kneelers are the length of the pew and are used by several people. If you are visiting a church that has kneelers, and you are not accustomed to using them, keep the kneeler in the down position during the service except while someone is passing through. Otherwise someone might attempt to kneel when the kneeler isn’t in place. See also prayer desk . Lectern In churches with a historic floor plan , there are two speaker’s stands in the front of the church. The one on the right (as viewed by the congregation) is called the lectern. The word lectern comes from the Latin word meaning ‘to read,’ because the lectern primarily functions as a reading stand. It is used by lay people to read the scripture lessons, except for the gospel lesson, to lead the congregation in prayer, and to make announcements.

Because the epistle lesson is usually read from the lectern, the lectern side of the church is called the epistle side. See also ambo and pulpit . In some churches, the positions of the pulpit and the lectern are reversed (that is, pulpit is on the right and the lectern is on the left) for architectural or aesthetic reasons. Lecture-Hall Floor Plan: As viewed by a worshiper in the congregation , there is one speaker’s stand, centered in the front of the church. It is actually an ambo , but is often incorrectly called the pulpit . It is used by all individuals who are involved in the conduct of the worship service. The choir is seated behind the pulpit, facing the congregation and in full view. There is usually a long kneeling rail between the congregation and the pulpit. If there is a communion table, it is located between the kneeling rail and the pulpit. To receive communion, the congregation comes up and kneels at the rail. In some churches communion is served to the congregation in the pews. The kneeling rail is often used for individual counseling and prayer as a response to the sermon or the worship service.

You can see a diagram and get more information about this type of church interior . Narthex The historic term for what might otherwise be called the foyer or entry way of the church. Nave The architectural term for the place where the congregation gathers for worship, as opposed to the front part of the church from which the service is led. In churches with a lecture-hall floor plan , the term ‘sanctuary’ is often used to mean both chancel and nave because the two are not architecturally distinct. An oratory is a room or a portion of a room that is set aside for an individual to conduct personal devotions. The word oratory comes from a Latin word that means a place to pray. Pew Originally, Christians stood for worship, and that is still the case in many eastern churches. The pew, a long, backed bench upon which congregants sit, was an innovation of western medieval Christianity. Pews were inherited by Protestants from the Roman Catholic Church, and because of their practicality, have spread to some Orthodox churches located in the west. Prayer Desk Also called a prie-dieu, a prayer desk is a kneeler with a small shelf for books, as in the illustration on the right.

In churches where it is customary to kneel for prayer, there might be two prayer desks in the chancel, one for the clergy and the other for the lay leader. Prayer desks are also found in private homes and small chapels. Prie-Dieu See Prayer Desk . Pulpit In churches with a historic floor plan , there are two speaker’s stands in the front of the church. The one on the left (as viewed by the congregation) is called the pulpit. It is used by clergy to read the gospel and preach the sermon. Since the gospel lesson is usually read from the pulpit, the pulpit side of the church is called the gospel side. See also ambo and lectern . In some churches, the positions of the pulpit and the lectern are reversed (that is, pulpit is on the right and the lectern is on the left) for architectural or aesthetic reasons. Rood Screen A rood screen (also known as a chancel screen) is a partition that separates the nave of a church from the chancel . It is similar to an iconostasis in an Eastern Orthodox church, except that its origin is more recent. Its construction is different, because it is not a complete visual barrier.

Rood screens are much less common in western churches today than in medieval times, when they originated. Protestants had theological problems with separating the laity from the liturgy. Catholic churches removed the rood screens for the same reason as a result of the Council of Trent (1545-1563). You can still find a rood screen in an Anglican or Lutheran church. Sacristy In historic church architecture, the sacristy is the room or closet in which communion equipment, linen, and supplies are kept. It is usually equipped with a sink. Sanctuary In historic church architecture, the front part of the church from which the service is conducted, as distinct from the nave , where the congregation sits. The sanctuary is usually an elevated platform, usually three steps up from the nave. In churches with a lecture-hall floor plan , the term ‘sanctuary’ is often used to mean both chancel and nave because the two are not architecturally distinct. In historic usage, chancel ; and sanctuary are synonyms. Shrine A shrine is a building or a place that is dedicated to one particular type of devotion that is limited to commemorating an event or a person.

What makes it a shrine is its limited purpose and use. It could be anything from a large building to a plaque mounted on a pole next to the side of the road. A shrine is located on the site where the event occurred that gave rise to the commemoration and the devotion. For example, suppose someone erects a commemorative plaque on the spot where some important person was murdered and people often come there to think about the significance of the event and pray. That is essentially a shrine. Stage In western (not Orthodox) churches where worship is theatrical and the congregation functions as mainly as audience, the architect often enlarges the chancel to accommodate performances and calls it a ‘stage,’ as in a theater. Transept In medieval times, it became necessary to increase space near the chancel to accommodate large numbers of clergy, the choirs, or members of religious orders. The result was a space between the chancel and the nave that extends beyond the side walls, giving the church a cruciform floor plan—meaning that it is cross-shaped when viewed from the air. Undercroft The undercroft is essentially a fancy word for the church basement under the chancel and nave (and transept, if there is one). What does chancel mean?

Definitions for chancelˈtʃæn səl, ˈtʃɑn- This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word chancel Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: chancel, sanctuary, bema(noun) area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: chancel(Noun) The space around the altar in a church, often enclosed, for use by the clergy and the choir. In medieval cathedrals the chancel was usually enclosed or blocked off from the nave by an altar screen. Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Chancel(verb) that part of a church, reserved for the use of the clergy, where the altar, or communion table, is placed Chancel(verb) all that part of a cruciform church which is beyond the line of the transept farthest from the main front Origin: [OF. chancel, F. chanceau, cancel, fr. L. cancelli lattices, crossbars.

(The chancel was formerly inclosed with lattices or crossbars) See Cancel, v. t.] Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Chancel In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may terminate in an apse. Following the exposition of the doctrine of transubstantiation at the fourth Lateran Council of 1215, clergy were required to ensure that the blessed sacrament was to be kept protected from irreverent access or abuse; and accordingly the area of the church used by the lay congregation was to be screened off from that used by the clergy. This distinction was enforced by the development of canon law, by which the construction and upkeep of the chancel was the responsibility of the rector, whereas the construction and upkeep of the nave was the responsibility of the parish. As well as the altar, the chancel usually houses the credence table and seats for officiating and assisting ministers. In Anglican and Methodist churches it will usually include the choir.

In some traditions, the pulpit and lectern may be in the chancel, but in others these functions are considered proper to the nave. The chancel is typically raised somewhat above the level of the nave, where the congregation gathers. It may be separated from the nave by a rood screen, a rail, or an open space. In some churches, the congregation may gather on three sides or in a semicircle around the chancel. Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Chancel chan′sel, n. the eastern part of a church, originally separated from the nave by a screen of lattice-work, so as to prevent general access thereto, though not to interrupt either sight or sound. [O. Fr.,—L. cancelli, lattices.] Numerology The numerical value of chancel in Chaldean Numerology is: 7 Pythagorean Numerology

Question: In architecture, what is the space around the altar at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building?
Answer: Chancel