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Church Architecture Symbolism

The document discusses the theology and symbolism of church architecture. It describes how early Christian architecture reversed the Greek temple design by focusing inward on the sacred interior space. It then defines and explains the symbolism of key parts of a church like the apse, nave, and narthex. The apse symbolizes the holy space and vision of heaven, the nave represents the Church as Noah's ark, and the narthex signifies the transition from the secular world. Diagrams are included showing a typical Gothic church plan and the locations of these areas.

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Christian Paul Sigua
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294 views17 pages

Church Architecture Symbolism

The document discusses the theology and symbolism of church architecture. It describes how early Christian architecture reversed the Greek temple design by focusing inward on the sacred interior space. It then defines and explains the symbolism of key parts of a church like the apse, nave, and narthex. The apse symbolizes the holy space and vision of heaven, the nave represents the Church as Noah's ark, and the narthex signifies the transition from the secular world. Diagrams are included showing a typical Gothic church plan and the locations of these areas.

Uploaded by

Christian Paul Sigua
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHURCH

ARCHITECTURE

HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY


SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
THEOLOGY AND SYMBOLISM OF
CHURCH BUILDING
A SACRED SPACE.
- In the ancient Greek temple of a peristyle type the outer surface is
most important;
- Early Christian architecture reverses the peristyle temple, turns it
inside out, concentrates on the inside: the basilica type.
- The main goal is to create the atmosphere of mystery and
immateriality, the sacred space. The church is the “Earthly Heaven”.
- What happens inside is the de-substantiation of the physical reality of
the building;

2
THEOLOGY AND SYMBOLISM OF
CHURCH BUILDING
PARTS OF THE CHURCH AND THEIR
SYMBOLISM

1. APSE
The apse with the altar (the sanctuary), a semicircular polygonal
projection of a building usually vaulted, also APSIS.

SYMBOLISM:
the holy space, the image of the divine, the vision of another
world, “heaven on earth.”

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THEOLOGY AND SYMBOLISM OF
CHURCH BUILDING
2. NAVE
The principal or central part of the church, extending from the
narthex to the choir or chancel and usually flanked by aisles.

SYMBOLISM:
The term nave is from navis, the Latin word for ship, an early
Christian symbol of the Church as a whole, with a possible
connection to the "Ship of St. Peter" or the Ark of Noah

4
THEOLOGY AND SYMBOLISM OF
CHURCH BUILDING
3. NARTHEX
A portico or vestibule before the nave occupied by those not yet
christened.

SYMBOLISM:
the idea of a gradual separation from the world and transition to
the sanctuary.

5
THEOLOGY AND SYMBOLISM OF
CHURCH BUILDING
FRESCOES AND IMAGES
Mother of God “Orans” in the apse who shows the way

Christ Pantocrator in the dome indicates the heavens

6
TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
NARTHEX
A portico or vestibule before the nave occupied by those not yet
christened.

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


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TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
NAVE
The principal or central part of the church, extending from the
narthex to the choir or chancel and usually flanked by aisles.
The central longitudinal space of a basilica church.

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


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TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
AISLE
The space between the columns of the nave and the side wall.
Any of the longitudinal divisions of the Church, separated from
the nave by a row of columns or piers

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


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TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
TRANSEPT
An extension across the main axis giving a church the
shape of a cross

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


10
TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
CROSSING
Area of a church where the nave, choir, and transept
intersect

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


11
TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
CHOIR
Area of the church where the priest performs the
mass

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


12
TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
APSE
The apse with the altar (the sanctuary), a semicircular polygonal
projection of a building usually vaulted (Eastern End)

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


13
TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
AMBULATORY
A covered passageway(cloister) around the apse of a
church, or for circumambulating a shrine

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


14
TYPICAL PARTS OF THE CHURCH
CHEVETS
a series of apses or small chapels radiating from the
ambulatory

TYPICAL GOTHIC CHURCH PLAN


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