pulpits

A pulpit is a raised platform in a church or chapel from which a preacher speaks to the congregation. The term derives from Latin pulpitum, meaning a platform or stage. In many traditions, the pulpit is distinct from the lectern or ambo: the pulpit is an elevated, often enclosed space that houses the preacher, while a lectern or ambo is primarily a stand for readings of scripture.

Origins and development: Early Christian worship used elevated pulpits and similar platforms in basilicas to project the voice. By the Middle Ages, pulpits were standard elements in Western churches, sometimes freestanding or built into the chancel, and often equipped with a canopy or sounding board to improve acoustics.

Design and materials: Pulpits are typically made of wood or stone, occasionally marble, and may be octagonal, square, or polygonal. They often include stairs, railings, decorative carving, and a canopy. Placement varied by tradition, with some churches situating the pulpit along the nave and others near the chancel.

Function and usage: The primary purpose is preaching. In Catholic and Anglican churches the pulpit has historically been a focal point of the liturgy, whereas in many Protestant churches the pulpit symbolized the authority of the preached word. Some traditions also used the pulpit for limited public lectures.

Modern context: In contemporary church design pulpits are sometimes replaced or supplemented by wall-mounted lecterns, microphone stands, or multimedia platforms, while preserving a symbolic or ceremonial role for the preaching space. The term pulpit can also be used metaphorically to describe a platform for public speaking.