Church Architecture

Keeping with historic Christianity and pre-Christ Judaism before it, many Lutheran church buildings reflect traditional architecture that focuses our attention on Jesus, the proclamation of His Word, and His Sacraments.  In the early Church, the building of worship was often constructed so that the front (or altar) end of the building was at the east.  Thus the people looked toward the east in hope and in view of the rising Son.  Though not always followed today, the terminology is still around so that the altar end of the building is referred to as its “liturgical east,” and the back is the “liturgical west.” As one faces the front of the church, the left is then the “liturgical north” (also called the “Gospel side”) and the right is the “liturgical south” (also called the “Epistle side”). In the common architecture, which is modelled after the Jewish temple and the tabernacle before it, the church building is divided into several main sections.

The nave is the large area of the worship space, containing the pews, where the congregation is gathered during the Divine Service.  (The word “nave” comes from the Latin navis, which means “ship,” an early symbol for the church). Therefore, the roof of the nave is usually shaped like the bottom of a ship, but upside down. There is usually a center aisle, which makes the vertical part of a cross shape.

The chancel is the second main division of sacred space.  (The word chancel is derived from the Latin cancelli, which means “lattices” or “crossbars” which originally separated the nave from the altar area). It makes the crossbar of the cross shape in the church.  It is the liturgical east of the building where the altar is located.  The chancel is usually the area from the past the pews, up to the Communion rail, or in some churches between the communion rail and the altar.  The communion, or altar, rail serves as a use during the distribution of the Sacrament of the Altar, but it also divides the chancel from either the nave or the sanctuary.

The sanctuary, specifically, is the area immediately around the altar. This term, meaning “sacred/holy space,” is sometimes also used in reference to the entire area used for worship, i.e. the nave and the chancel.  This is very aptly named, for this place of worship is truly a holy space, for the holiness of God comes and dwells in our midst through His Word and Sacraments.

The narthex is the entry way leading from outside the building into the nave.  As the entryway it marks the passage from the outside world to the presence of God.  It is often considered to be the liturgical west of the church building. 

The Sacristy is the room where the sacred utensils and vestments are kept. There can be two distinct sacristies, the first being a clergy sacristy or vestry, where the vestments are kept and the Pastor prepares for the Service.  The other is the working or altar guild sacristy, where the paraments, linens, sacred vessels for Holy Communion, and other liturgical appointments are kept. These are usually combined into one room today.

The Fellowship Hall is the area in which we gather outside of worship to share in fellowship with one another. It usually includes the kitchen and the area for eating together, Bible study, and general purpose room.

Then, there is the Pastor’s Study.  The Study is a symbol of the calling of the Christian minister to be shepherd of the flock of God.  It is not an office; a place where the pastor works.  Rather, it is the place where the pastor prepares sermons and Bible studies, mediates, prays for the congregation, speaks God’s Law and Gospel to individuals. It is not the pastor who works here, it is God.  God works on the heart, mind, and faith of the pastor to prepare him to proclaim the Gospel in its purity and administer the Sacraments faithfully. The Pastors work is out among the people and in the sanctuary.

note: post 9/11 adapted from my brother's writings