Early Christian Architecture

ELEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH

The narthex is an architectural element typical of early Christian and Byzantine basilicas or churches consisting of the entrance or lobby area, usually located at the west end of the nave, opposite the church's main altar.Nave : the central part of a church building, intended to accommodate most of the congregation. In traditional Western churches it is rectangular, separated from the chancel by a step or rail, and from adjacent aisles by pillars.Aisle : An aisle is, in general, a space for walking with rows of seats on both sides or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other.

TRANSEPTS (in a cross-shaped church) either of the two parts forming the arms of the cross shape, projecting at right angles from the nave.

APSE :It  is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome, also known as an Exedra. CHAPEL a small building or room used for Christian worship in a school, prison, hospital, or large private house.ALTAR the table in a Christian church at which the bread and wine are consecrated in communion services.BAPTISTERIES the part of a church used for baptism.MAUSOLEUM a stately or impressive building housing a tomb or group of tombs.

CHOIR : it is the area of a church or cathedral that provides seating for the clergy and choir. It is usually in the western part of the Chancel between the nave and the sanctuary (Clergy are some of the formal leaders within certain religions. )CHANCEL: In church architecture, the chancel (or presbytery) is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building, 

ATRIUM an open-roofed entrance hall or central court in an ancient Roman house.

PORTICO a structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building.

BEMA the altar part or sanctuary in ancient and Orthodox churches.

Arcade :An arcade is a succession of arches, each counter-thrusting the next, supported by columns, piers, or a covered walkway enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides.

Pinnacle : A pinnacle is an architectural ornament originally forming the cap or crown of a buttress or small turret, but afterwards used on parapet sat the corners of towers and in many other situations. The pinnacle looks like a small spire. It was mainly used in Gothic architecture.

Gargoyle :In architecture, a gargoyle is a carved or formed grotesque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building, thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between

BASILICAN CHURCH OF ST.PETER’S ROME

Fig. 1. Plan of old St Peter's: (1) atrium or fore-court; (2) nave with double aisles; (3) site of screen-colonnade; (4, 4) transepts; (5) apse with crypt below.

Church Of Nativity Bethlehem