Sacrarium
Part of a chancel or choir of a church in the area of the high altar. Also referred to as the sanctuary and is often outlined by altar rails. (associated with Christian faiths)
Sacristy
Also called a sacristry or vestry, this is the room in which the clergy store their vestments. (associated with Christian faiths)
Sahn
Courtyard of a mosque. (associated with Islam)
Sanctuary
An especially sacred or holy place within a place of worship. In a church, it is the chancel. (associated with multiple faiths)
Saqaqa
Water tank for ritual ablutions (cleansing). (associated with Islam)
Sardivan
Fountain in the core of a mosque courtyard. (associated with Islam)
Sedile/Sedilia
A seat on the south side of a chancel for the use of celebrants. The plural is sedilia. (associated with Christian faiths)
Semahane
Literally means “dance hall.” This is a room used for dervishes to dance. Typically an octagonal, domed room often attached to a mosque. (associated with Islam)
Sepulchre
Tomb, burial place, building or vault used as a grave or burial chamber. Also a receptacle for relics on an altar. (associated with Christian faiths)
Seref(Serefe)
The balcony on a minaret from which the call to prayer is made. Most minarets only have one balcony, although some have up to three. (associated with Islam)
Shikhara
Literally meaning “mountain peak,” a shikhara is also used to describe the rising tower of a Hindu, Buddhist or Jain temple. (associated with multiple faiths)
Shrine
A container for holding relics, or the building in which the relics are stored. Also a site hallowed by a venerated object or occurrence. (associated with multiple faiths)
Slip pew
A shallow, enclosed pew with a single seat. (associated with Christian faiths)
Spike spire
Short spire, also called a flèche or spirelet. (associated with Christian faiths)
Spire
A peaked roof on a church tower. (associated with Christian faiths)
Splay-foot spire
Spire with a base that opens out at a flat pitch, creating an eaves over the tower. (associated with Christian faiths)
Squinch
Small arch in the corner of a building that converts a square space to an octagonal area that may then be covered with a dome. (associated with multiple faiths)
Stave church
A Scandanavian wooden church with few windows and a steep roof. (associated with Christian faiths)
Steeple
Collective term that includes a church tower and its associated spire. (associated with Christian faiths)
Stupa
A solid, earthen memorial mound that enshrines a relic of the Buddha, or an honoured Buddhist teacher. (associated with Buddhism)