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Learn more about Western European-style cathedral architecture.
Glossary of cathedral features and furnishings
Altar: A table, usually in the sanctuary, on which the bread and wine used in the Communion service are consecrated. Also known as and referred to in the prayer book as the Holy Table. St. Mary’s high altar was built for the original cathedral building in 1879, commemorating the Martyrs of Memphis.
Altar Rail: The rail or kneelers where the people kneel or stand to receive Communion. Also known as the Communion Rail. Usually separates the nave from the chancel or sanctuary. Some altar rails have an altar gate which is closed before Communion.
Ambulatory: (from the Latin to walk) an expanded passage encircling behind and below the apse. Thus acolytes, ushers, choir members or clergy can pass from one side of the sanctuary and chancel to the other without distracting worshippers. Some cathedral ambulatories feature radiating chapels disposed around the outer wall. St. Mary’s ambulatory is decorated with portraits of the bishops of Tennessee (before 1983) and West Tennessee. Sometimes this term refers to a side aisle in a church building, between the pews and the side walls.
Apse: The semi-circular end of the church around and above the high altar.
Bishop's Chair: A chair set apart in cathedrals and some churches, reserved especially for the bishop (sometimes called the Bishop's Throne or Cathedra).
Chancel: From the Latin cancelli ("grating, lattice"). In classic church design, an area of pews, seats, stalls or prayer desks between the nave and the sanctuary, used by the ministers leading services and sometimes used by the choir (it is sometimes known as the choir, quire, or presbytery).
Chapel: From the Latin cappella ("cape"). When the kings of France went on military campaigns, they would carry the cape of St. Martin with them. The tent or other temporary structure that housed the cappella was called a chapel. St. Mary’s “Sisters’ Chapel” was built in the 1880s for the Sisters of St. Mary’s to use as the chapel for St. Mary’s Episcopal School.
Clerestory (keer´stor-ee): 'clear story,' The upper walls of the nave above the roof of side aisles. Smaller stained glass windows allow extra light into the interior.
Close: The enclosed property or campus of a cathedral. The close of St. Mary’s comprises a narrow wedge of land encompassed by Poplar and Alabama avenues and Hamlin Place. It includes the main cathedral building, the Moody Annex, the Sisters’ Chapel, Diocesan House, the Episcopal Bookshop, and the historic Dickinson House.
Crossing: The main intersection of aisles at the front of the church building. If viewed from above, these aisles form a large cross (see Transcpt).
Crypt: A vault or basement beneath the church. Also called undercroft. St. Mary’s basement isn’t very crypt-like. It has a big kitchen, dining hall (with a stage), the bride’s room and two meeting rooms.
East end: The altar end of a church building, even if it does not actually face the east compass point. It signifies facing the rising sun, which symbolizes Christ’s coming as the Light of the world. Ancient Christians faced east when praying.
Font: A basin for water to be used in church baptisms, usually in a stand. Also known as the Baptismal Font. Also, a fixed receptacle for holy water at the entrance to the church or in the sacristy. St. Mary’s font is in the center aisle near the transept.
Lectern: From the Latin, lectrum, meaning "reading desk". This is a raised platform used for reading prayers or scripture; usually located at the front of the nave, opposite the pulpit.
Nave: The pew area of the church building, where the congregation sits, stands or kneels during public worship. The nave is more than an auditorium, where people listen, because worship in the Episcopal Church involves everyone as participants. The word probably derives from the Latin navis ("ship").
Parish Hall: A gathering place or reception hall for a local congregation separate from the church building or sanctuary. St. Mary’s Parish Hall was built on the site of the cathedral’s old Cloister Garden.
Piscina: A sink in the sacristy for washing the vessels used at the Eucharist and for reverently disposing of wine that has been consecrated. The piscina does not drain into a sewer or disposal system, but directly into the ground.
Pulpit: From the Latin pulpitum ("platform"). A raised platform or podium used for the sermon or homily, generally located in the front of the gospel side of the nave.
Reredos: Pronounced, "rear-re-doss", this is any decoration behind or above an altar; it may be in the form of statues, screens, or tapestries.
Sacristy: A room where the communion vessels, altar hangings, candlesticks, etc. are kept and cleaned. Often also serves as the room where the clergy don their vestments before a service.
Sanctuary: From the Latin sanctus ("holy"). Strictly speaking, it is the area immediately surrounding the altar, sometimes set apart from the nave by the chancel, and/or enclosed by an altar rail. In some denominations the word refers to the entire worship space.
Transept: The section of a cross-shaped (cruciform) church at right angles to the nave. Where the transept cross the main aisle is known as the crossing.
West front: The façade of a large church or cathedral. St. Mary’s “west front” actually faces south.
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