Church (building)

(GNU) Photo: Leif Knutsen
A country church in typical style. Sogn, Norway.

A Christian house of worship is usually called a church. (The term is also used for Christian religious bodies, and a few non-Christian ones.)

There is no prescribed rule for the architecture of a church building, they may be simple huts or ornate cathedrals in any architectural style. Gothic and neo-gothic styles are common. Churches are often marked with a cross on the ? of the roof; the style of the cross sometimes give a clue as to the denomination.

Where churches are large enough to have divided areas, these are the chancel, which houses the altar and is where the ministers officiate, and the nave, where the congregation sit or stand.

Other parts of churches are:

• Sacristy – purpose-built rooms such as the choir sacristy, where the choristers rehearse, and the working sacristy, in which linens, chalices and the like are cleaned and stored.
• Choir loft; choir stalls – where the choristers sit and sing from; these may be in the front of the church, in the chancel, or at the back in an actual loft.
• Chapels-large churches and cathedrals may have chapels for small services and private prayer.

(CC) Photo: Aleta Curry
Saint Stephen's Church (Anglican), a simple cladding and colourbond structure. Tallong, NSW.

Attachments and outbuildings in a church may include:

• Church hall or common room
• Minister’s study
• Church office
• Parish house
• Rectory