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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V Z

A canopy over an altar, usually supported by columns. (associated with Christian faiths)

An article of church furniture consisting of a large, sometimes movable, circular basin on a stand, holding the water for baptism. (associated with Christian faiths)

A large tank or pool filled with baptismal water, usually sunk in the floor of a church or in a separate baptistery. Also called an immersion font. (associated with Christian faiths)

(See Baptistery) Also called Baptistery or Baptistry. (associated with Christian faiths)

A building or part of a church containing a font, used for baptismal rites. Also called Bapistry or Baptisterium. (associated with Christian faiths)

(See Baptistery) Also called Baptistery or Baptisterium. (associated with Christian faiths)

The simplest form of vault – a half-cylinder vault supported by walls or columns, also called a tunnel vault. If the apex of the vault is pointed, it is called a pointed vault. (associated with multiple faiths)

A church plan that features a narthex at the entrance, nave and side aisles divided by arcades and terminating with an apse at the sanctuary. (associated with Christian faiths)

The inward sloping of a wall, doorway or window. (associated with multiple faiths)

A vertical division of architectural spaces created by the rhythm of architectural elements, doors and/or windows, arches, buttresses or other repeated architectural spatial units that separate the space into corresponding portions. (associated with Christian faiths)

A room located in a church tower in which the bells and their supporting timbers are located. (associated with Christian faiths)

A pitched roof that curves outward at its lower edges like a bell. (associated with multiple faiths)

A roofed structure on the roof of a church that holds the church bell(s). (associated with Christian faiths)

A tall structure – independent or attached to a building – used to hold one or more bells. Also called a campanile. (associated with multiple faiths)

A minor tower, usually capped with a spire or pinnacle, holding one or more bells. (associated with multiple faiths)

Raised platform in a church or synagogue, sometimes separated from the rest of the place of worship by a railing. Bemas are standard fixtures in synagogues, from which portions of the Torah are read. (associated with Judeo-Christian faiths)

The terminal timber facing of a church pew, frequently decorated with poppy heads and/or blind tracery. (associated with Christian faiths)

Minor synagogue attached to a major synagogue, usually used for prayer or study. (associated with Judaism)

A series of continuous arches applied along a wall surface. Also called a blank arcade. (associated with multiple faiths)

A covering for timber-frame buildings – wide vertical boards with thin vertical battens covering the gaps/joints between the larger boards. (associated with multiple faiths)

A pew that is framed in, or encased with, relatively high-walled paneling. Doors are located on the sides to allow access to the pews. Popular during the era when pews were purchased or rented (pre-1850). (associated with Christian faiths)

A half-pyramidal portion located above the corners of a square tower that enable a transition to an octagonal spire. (associated with multiple faiths)

A spire on a tower or turret that uses triangular facings (broaches) to transition between the square tower and the tapering octagonal spire. (associated with Christian faiths)

A supporting architectural feature that projects from or is built against the exterior wall of a building to absorb the outward thrust of interior roof vaulting. In Canada, buttresses are largely ornamental. (associated with Christian faiths)