The medieval church building was designed as a representation of the metaphysics of the cross.
That is, a vertical ascent from the mundane (through the front doors) to the celestial, represented as the joining of three essential natures into one divine presence.
Like so:
Every step of the way, quite literally, you're being reminded of an ascent into the state of Christ's sacrifice.
You can read more about how all the parts fit together here, on wikipedia.
The narthex is the entrance -- the base of the cross. This is typically pointed west, and often consists of a triple doorway. There is often a vestibule beyond it, for the hanging of wet clothes, removal of dirty boots and general primping, preening and preparation. The vestibule will typically contain a font, containing holy water, which congregants use to cross themselves when entering the church.
The nave is the long alley leading up to the heart of the church. It comes from the same root word as navy, since it resembles a boat -- long rows of benches (the pews), carrying you up that river to salvation.
The arms of the cross are called the transept, which generally have shrines or chapels at their ends, located in areas called porches (because they're generally beyond doors). Where the transept arms cross the nave, they define the choir, the "head" of the cross, where you'll find the sanctuary, the holiest portion of the church.
This, located just east of the crossing (which is the, uh, crossing), is the spiritual center of the building, where the miracle of the Mass is celebrated. Other chapels may have altars, but this is the home of the high altar, generally elevated and well lit. It may house the tabernacle, where the host is stored (the bread which miraculously becomes the body of Christ -- and yes, it's "host" in the same sense as a person who invites guests or is plagued by parasites). As you might guess from the name, the sanctuary is also where medieval fugitives could expect peace and safety from whoever was pursuing them.
Beneath the sanctuary is the crypt (which can hold bodies of old bishops, and may be an old pagan sacred site), and beyond it is the curve of the apse, containing the presbytery (an area for priests, presbyters, to sit when not active during rituals) and the ambulatory (a walkway for ordinary folks to get around the sanctuary without intruding on the sacred space). When approaching or crossing in front of the sanctuary, congregants are supposed to genuflect.
Typically, in the back of the apse there is a chapel (marked on that above diagram) dedicated to the patron saint of the church or to Mary, the mother of Christ. Note also that the apse is a curved space, unlike the other walls of the church. |
