pulpit

A pulpit is a raised platform in a Christian church from which preaching or the reading of scriptures takes place. It is usually situated in the front part of the sanctuary, above floor level, and is accessible by steps. The furniture may include a lectern or small reading desk, a microphone, and a canopy to project the speaker’s voice. The word pulpit comes from Latin pulpitum, meaning platform or stage.

Throughout much of Western church architecture, pulpits are often elaborately carved and enclosed with rails or panels, or set in a small booth. In many churches the pulpit is distinct from a separate lectern used for scripture readings; the pulpit generally emphasizes preaching, while the lectern is for reading.

Historically, the pulpit emerged in late antiquity and became a dominant feature of medieval Western churches, where it was often raised on a circular stair or tower. In Eastern Christian traditions, preaching is more commonly associated with the ambo or bishop’s throne, and a dedicated pulpit is less central.

In modern practice, pulpits vary widely. Some churches retain a traditional wooden pulpit with steps and a canopy; others use a more modest raised lectern or a central pulpit podium. Advances in amplification allow for lower or desk-like designs. In Catholic and Orthodox buildings, the ambo or lectern may be preferred for scriptural readings, while the term pulpit may refer to a portable or secondary preaching platform in some structures.