‘The eastern part of a church, appropriated to the use of those who officiate in the performance of the services’ (Parker Gloss. Archit.), and…

spec. In a Christian church: = sacrarium, n.1 2a.

A specially holy place within a temple or church. Ecclesiastical. That part of a church round the altar, the sacrarium; also used by some for the…

Church Architecture. Originally: the bench or seats reserved for the priests in a church, spec. the three seats or sedilia on the south side of the…

Church Architecture. = presbytery, n. 1.

Bars of latticework; spec. the latticed screen between the choir and body of the church; hence the chancel, n. (modern French cancel) so railed…

Ecclesiastical History. ‘The altar part or sanctuary in the ancient churches’ (Chambers); the chancel.

Ecclesiastical. That part of a church immediately surrounding the altar or communion table; also called the sanctuary.

The central chapel of three forming the sanctuary of a Coptic church. Also attributive in haikal screen n. a screen, often elaborately carved or…