Christian and Architecture Vocab

Question 1

a passageway around the apse of the church

Answer 1

amunbulatory

Question 2

the end point of a church that contains the altar

Answer 2

apse

Question 3

a vertical section of a church that is bordered by a set of columns and is usually composed of arches and aligned windows

Answer 3

bay

Question 4

an architectural structure built against a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall

Answer 4

buttress

Question 5

consists typically of an exterior masonry structure that is slanting from the main section of the building, typically forming an arch with the wall it supports to transfer vertical thrust away from the main wall and protect from wind pressure

Answer 5

flying buttress

Question 6

a square that is created where the nave and transept intersect; determines the proportions of the church

Answer 6

crossing square

Question 7

the main aisle of a church which accommodates the congragation

Answer 7

nave

Question 8

the entrance to a church, typically on the western side

Answer 8

portal

Question 9

small chapels that are located around the nave, typically holding reliquaries

Answer 9

radiating chapels

Question 10

on either side of the nave; used as walkways to help church goers move around

Answer 10

side aisles

Question 11

the “arms” of the cross-shape of a basilica plan Christian church; crosses the nave to create the crossing

Answer 11

transept

Question 12

the secondary story of a church

Answer 12

triforium