A classic (Western European) church is built up from a series of fixed structural parts that together form the cross shape and the directed layout towards the altar. Knowing these parts helps in reading building drawings and naming historic churches. Below are the main parts, roughly from entrance to altar.
The main parts
- Nave — the central, elongated space where the congregation sits
- Aisles — the lower spaces to the left and right of the nave, separated by columns or piers
- Clerestory — the upper part of the nave wall with windows, above the aisle roofs
- Transept — the cross arm that gives the building its cross shape
- Crossing — the intersection of nave and transept, often with a crossing tower or dome
- Choir (chancel) — the raised part beyond the crossing, around the altar
- Apse — the semicircular or polygonal termination at the end of the choir
- Ambulatory and radiating chapels — a walkway around the choir with attached chapels
- Tower — usually on the west side, holding the bells
Structural parts
- Vaults — the masonry roofing, such as cross or rib vaults
- Buttresses and flying buttresses — take up the sideways thrust of the vaults
- Narthex or porch — the covered entrance space
Points to note
- Not every church has all parts; a simple hall church, for example, lacks a transept and aisles
- The orientation is traditionally: choir to the east, tower to the west
Related terms
- Nave
- Transept
- Apse
- Vault
- Buttress
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.