Churches

Churches are buildings and communities associated with Christianity. As places of worship, they host services, prayers, and sacraments, and, in many traditions, rites of passage such as baptism, marriage, and funeral rites. As organizations, churches may be parishes, dioceses, or congregations led by clergy or lay leaders.

Architecturally, church buildings commonly feature a nave for the congregants, an apse or choir, an altar, and often a tower or dome. Interiors may include a pulpit, organ, and stained-glass windows. Designs vary by region, tradition, and period, ranging from simple chapels to large cathedrals and basilicas.

Worship and governance differ across denominations. Catholic, Orthodox, and some Anglican and Lutheran churches typically organize around hierarchical structures with bishops and defined liturgical practices. Protestant churches may emphasize congregational governance, with local assemblies and varied styles of worship. The term “church” can also refer to the entire body of believers within a tradition.

Churches serve not only religious functions but also social and cultural roles. They sponsor education, charitable work, community events, and preservation of art and history. They are often seen as historical landmarks and, in many places, act as centers for tourism and civic life.

Historically, Christians met in private homes before constructing dedicated buildings. From late antiquity onward, church architecture became a vehicle for theology and community identity, leading to the vast programs of medieval cathedrals, monastic churches, and more recent congregational houses.