Chancel? What is a Chancel?
Sometimes different denominations call spaces or fixtures in the church building by different names. Often no one takes the time to let folks know where or what they are talking about -- these "foreign-sounding" names. The diagram below (which is not to scale) was drawn to help you locate such places as the chancel, sacristy or nave and such things as lectern and reredos in St. Martin's. Below the diagram on this page are definitions of these terms.
To download a PDF version of this diagram on 8 1/2 X 14 inch paper, click HERE
Definition of Terms from top of diagram to bottom:
Sacristy: Room close to the sanctuary in which the chalice, paten, and other equipment for celebrating the Eucharist, such as purificators and altar linen, are cleaned, stored, and made ready for use.
Reredos: A screen or decorated portion of the wall behind the altar.
Chancel: In a traditional church, the area around the altar. Sometimes referred to as the apse.
Altar: The table on which the bread and wine are place during a celebration of the Eucharist.
Altar Rail: Railing in front of or to the side of an altar, used to assist those who receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist while kneeling to get up and down, and also to provide them with a place to rest their elbows.
Pulpit: Elevated stand of wood, stone, or metal from which the sermon is preached.
Baptismal Font: A special container for the water of Baptism. It is also used for a holy water receptacle.
Lectern: Stand for holding a book during the reading of lessons.
Crossing: The area between the pews and the altar.
Nave: Historically, when the Gothic church was developed, the nave was the church of the laity and had its own altars, while the chancel was the church of the clergy and monastics. At the time of the Reformation, the name altars were taken out, and the one altar of the chancel was to function as the altar for all the people. This brought the clergy and the people closer together.
Skybox: This is a part of the Nave, but is a humorous term specific to St. Martin's.
Credence Table: In contemporary churches such as St. Martin's, the credence table is often placed near the entrance to the room where the Eucharist is celebrated; the Offertory procession begins at this location.
Narthex: In a traditionally arranged church, a room or space between the main door to the outside and the main door to the nave; in the narthex those coming to worship may gather to remove coats or chat with each other.
Reredos: A screen or decorated portion of the wall behind the altar.
Chancel: In a traditional church, the area around the altar. Sometimes referred to as the apse.
Altar: The table on which the bread and wine are place during a celebration of the Eucharist.
Altar Rail: Railing in front of or to the side of an altar, used to assist those who receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist while kneeling to get up and down, and also to provide them with a place to rest their elbows.
Pulpit: Elevated stand of wood, stone, or metal from which the sermon is preached.
Baptismal Font: A special container for the water of Baptism. It is also used for a holy water receptacle.
Lectern: Stand for holding a book during the reading of lessons.
Crossing: The area between the pews and the altar.
Nave: Historically, when the Gothic church was developed, the nave was the church of the laity and had its own altars, while the chancel was the church of the clergy and monastics. At the time of the Reformation, the name altars were taken out, and the one altar of the chancel was to function as the altar for all the people. This brought the clergy and the people closer together.
Skybox: This is a part of the Nave, but is a humorous term specific to St. Martin's.
Credence Table: In contemporary churches such as St. Martin's, the credence table is often placed near the entrance to the room where the Eucharist is celebrated; the Offertory procession begins at this location.
Narthex: In a traditionally arranged church, a room or space between the main door to the outside and the main door to the nave; in the narthex those coming to worship may gather to remove coats or chat with each other.
