Inside the Church
C atholic churches come in many different styles and sizes.
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Some are centuries old with soaring ceilings and lots of
stained glass. Some have a much more modern look and
don’t resemble at all the churches of old. As architectural styles
have changed, so have church buildings. But all Catholic churches
share some common elements.
Many churches have a narthex. This is the entry area, like a foyer.
Often the priest will greet parishioners after Mass in the narthex.
From the narthex you enter the main worship space, which consists
of the nave and the sanctuary.
The nave is the main body of the church. This is where the people
attending Mass sit, stand and kneel. The word nave comes from the
Latin word for ship. Early churches often resembled a ship, reminiscent
of St. Peter’s boat, from which Christ sometimes taught.
The sanctuary is the other part of the church, where the altar is.
The word itself means “holy place,” and this is where most of the
rites of the Mass take place.
Some people prefer one style of church over another. The important
thing to remember is that, no matter what the building looks
like, Jesus is present at every Mass.
Notes