LATER MEDIEVAL ART, Art 264

Parts of a church, working East to West

Apse: Semi-circular recess, usually found at East end of nave, can also be found at East end of aisles and in chapels.
Conch: Vault of an apse. Semi-dome.
Ambulatory,: Walkway, usually taken to be the walkway around the East end of the church.
Sanctuary Presbytery: Both mean the area immediately surrounding the main altar.
Choir Chancel: Both mean the area between the apse or sanctuary and the crossing
Chevet: Choir with ambulatory and radiating chapels
Crossing: Open area where the nave and transepts meet.
Transept: Passage running north-south of the nave and aisles. Some churches have several transepts.
Nave: Main passage running west-east, leading to crossing.
Aisle: Minor passage flanking the nave. Some churches have multiple aisles.
Nave arcade: Row of arches on piers on each side of the nave.
Narthex: Hall-like area behind the façade, screened from the nave.
Porch: Hall-like area set in front of the façade.

Nave arcade: Row of arches on piers on each side of the nave.
Pier: Vertical support of any shape.
Compound pier: Pier with applied columns or shafts.
Drum pier: Cylindrical pier
Column: Very specific kind of pier: cigar shaped, with capital and base.
Engaged column: Half-column attached to a wall or pier.
Soffit: The underside of an arch, plain or with moldings.
String course: Continuous horizontal molding. There is often one immediately above the nave arcade.
Gallery: Passage above the side aisles, the same width as the side aisles.
Triforium: Wall passage above the nave arcade or above the gallery.
Barrel vault: Continuous vault, semi-circular in section.
Pointed barrel: Continuous vault, pointed in section
Groin vault: The intersection of two barrel vaults. Arrises irregular in shape.
Arris: Projecting edge running connecting diagonally opposite piers that marks where two barrel vaults intersect.
Domed-up groin vault: Intersecting vault whose arrises are semi-circular.
Pointed-up groin vault: Intersecting vault whose arrises meet at the top in a point.
Rib vault: Domed-up groin vault whose structure is emphasized with decorative ribs and bosses.

Façade: The entire outside elevation, usually taken to mean the one at the West end.
Portal: Decorated doorway(s).
Jambs: Vertical moldings flanking the doorway, often column shaped.
Tympanum: D-shaped or pointed panel above the doorway, often sculpted in relief.

Stained glass: (note the "ed")
Silver stain: Silver oxide fused onto clear glass to produce translucent yellow.
Mullions: Vertical moldings in a window
Transoms: Horizontal moldings in a window

Church: The general term. When in doubt, use this term.
Cathedral: Bishop's church. Named after the bishop's throne (the cathedra). More accurately, a "cathedral church".

Altar: (Note the spelling).
Antependium, Frontal: Both mean the decorative screen in front of the altar table. Can be of cloth, metal, wood, or stone
Altarpiece: Relief or painted panel rising from the back of the altar.
Monstrance: Display case for the Host. Can be quite elaborate.
Host: Communion wafer, Eucharistic bread (always spelled with capital H).
Reliquary, Shrine: Both mean the precious container for a relic.
Andachtsbilder: Contemplation pieces, sculptures typically showing Crucifixion or Pietà.