A church is commonly defined as a building used for public worship, especially in the Christian religion. Churches are typically very spiritual places and most people don't think of them as decorated or designed, but they had to get that way some how, right? When designing the interior of a church, there are usually considerations made depending on the type of Christian church it is.
Catholic churches tend to look very different and house some different areas than a Southern Baptist church probably would, but most Catholic churches have most of the same things in them from one church to another. All Catholic churches typically have the following things, a representation of the 14 Stations of the Cross, an altar, tabernacle and pews.
In most Catholic churches, particularly Roman Catholic ones, there is a representation of the 14 Stations of the Cross. Many times these are in the stained glass windows of the church, or in representative tiles along the walls of the church. The 14 Stations of the Cross illustrate the story of Jesus' condemnation by the Romans. These are put to particular use during the times of Lent.
The altar of the Catholic Church is another consistent design element. The altar is where the church's mass is observed. Whenever the sacrifice of mass is offered, an altar or altar stone must be present. Altars are most often made of stone, often marble, in order to withstand use. Wood is also used and adorned with drapery fabric. Gold and other precious metals have also been used to create some magnificent altars that have been presented at times as gifts to the churches.
Tabernacles are another item that will always be found in a Catholic church. Within this religion, a tabernacle describes a cupboard or box that is used exclusively for the storage of the Blessed Sacrament. In the Catholic faith, the Blessed Sacrament is physically the bread and wine used for communion, and literally the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The tabernacle typically rests next to or behind the altar for communion purposes.
Another component of most churches, including but not only in the Catholic ones is the long bench like rows of wooden seating called pews. Pews are not used in most Orthodox churches, where stands are used instead. Pews are located in the nave, where the parishioners sit for church services. Catholic pews often also have kneelers in front of their pews so that worshipers are able to kneel in prayer without having to get on the floor under the pew in front of them. There are typically pathways left in between rows of pews to allow for a procession, when a priest, acolytes, the choir or even a bride enters the church and goes to the altar.
Catholic churches tend to look very different and house some different areas than a Southern Baptist church probably would, but most Catholic churches have most of the same things in them from one church to another. All Catholic churches typically have the following things, a representation of the 14 Stations of the Cross, an altar, tabernacle and pews.
In most Catholic churches, particularly Roman Catholic ones, there is a representation of the 14 Stations of the Cross. Many times these are in the stained glass windows of the church, or in representative tiles along the walls of the church. The 14 Stations of the Cross illustrate the story of Jesus' condemnation by the Romans. These are put to particular use during the times of Lent.
The altar of the Catholic Church is another consistent design element. The altar is where the church's mass is observed. Whenever the sacrifice of mass is offered, an altar or altar stone must be present. Altars are most often made of stone, often marble, in order to withstand use. Wood is also used and adorned with drapery fabric. Gold and other precious metals have also been used to create some magnificent altars that have been presented at times as gifts to the churches.
Tabernacles are another item that will always be found in a Catholic church. Within this religion, a tabernacle describes a cupboard or box that is used exclusively for the storage of the Blessed Sacrament. In the Catholic faith, the Blessed Sacrament is physically the bread and wine used for communion, and literally the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The tabernacle typically rests next to or behind the altar for communion purposes.
Another component of most churches, including but not only in the Catholic ones is the long bench like rows of wooden seating called pews. Pews are not used in most Orthodox churches, where stands are used instead. Pews are located in the nave, where the parishioners sit for church services. Catholic pews often also have kneelers in front of their pews so that worshipers are able to kneel in prayer without having to get on the floor under the pew in front of them. There are typically pathways left in between rows of pews to allow for a procession, when a priest, acolytes, the choir or even a bride enters the church and goes to the altar.
About the Author:
Carter Dutchen is writing mainly for http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com , an online site on the topic of drapery . You can come across his contributions on drapery fabric over at http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com .
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