Church History
4/8/25
Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter VIII. Christian Art." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. (pp. 2269-2327). (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library). (sections 102-116).
"§104. The Consecrating of Churches." (pp. 2274-2275).
During our period, church buildings began to be consecrated with considerable ceremony, setting them aside specifically for Christian services (Schaff 2014, p. 2274). Schaff notes that biblical warrant for church consecrations was drawn from the ceremonies surrounding the consecration of the temple. With the newfound permissions for Christianity to be practiced in public, the ceremonies would often be well attended.
Churches could be dedicated to the Trinity, to a member of the godhead, or often to a notable figure such as an apostle or Mary (Schaff 2014, p. 2274). They would also frequently observe anniversaries of the consecration. Within the ecclesiology of the time, consecrated and unconsecrated buildings alike would be recognized as places for Christian worship and fellowship (Schaff 2014, p. 2275).
"§105. Interior Arrangement of Churches." (pp. 2275-2280).
Christian churches often had a physical arrangement reminiscent of the temple in Jerusalem (Schaff 2014, p. 2275). They often had three divisions: the place for catechumens, the faithful, and priests (Schaff 2014, p. 2276). The concept of a priesthood between the average people and God was universally present. Normally there would be an outer and inner portico. The outer was open and not considered part of the church. It would be the place of "those under heavy penance" (Schaff 2014, p. 2276), and would include a laver, where people entering would engage in a ceremonial washing.
The inner portico, a covered area, could accommodate those who were unbaptized (Schaff 2014, p. 2276). From here the preaching could be heard. A mural of Adam and Eve was frequently found here.
The nave of the church symbolized the ark of safety (Schaff 2014, p. 2277). Men would be on the south side, women on the north, or in elevated galleries. The pulpit would be about at the center of the nave, while the custom of an epistle desk at the north and a gospel desk at the south developed. The sermon could be delivered from the pulpit or the steps at the east (Schaff 2014, p. 2278). A choir would be placed to the east of the pulpit, but the west of the altar steps.
A more elevated place, also known as the choir, was the place of the altar, where the priests alone would enter to consecrate the eucharist (Schaff 2014, p. 2278). It was set apart by rails or a lattice and a curtain. Here there was the altar and a dome-shaped canopy. The altar normally contained relics or the burial place of a martyr. A small tabernacle would house the consecrated host (Schaff 2014, p. 2279). Side altars were developed later, and only in the west.
"§106. Architectural Style. The Basilicas." (pp. 2280-2283).
The architecture of basilicas, gradually becoming Gothic cathedrals, took elements from various cultures, influenced by the Jewish temple (Schaff 2014, p. 2281). Because pagan temples tended to be round and not conducive to the kind of gatherings used in Christian worship, their architectural elements were not normally adopted. Christianity preferred long rectangles, often with some side naves added on. External porticoes and colonnades could be used for other purposes. Rather than the public judicial hall, the raised place of a tribune became a place for an altar (Schaff 2014, p. 2282). The side naves caused the building to take on the shape of a cross. Towers for bells arrived about the ninth century. Schaff describes a number of ancient church buildings in brief.
4/8/25
Schaff, Philip. (2014). "Chapter VIII. Christian Art." In History of the Christian Church. (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Volume 3, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-600, from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great. (pp. 2269-2327). (Original work published 1889). Amazon Kindle Edition. (Personal Library). (sections 102-116).
"§104. The Consecrating of Churches." (pp. 2274-2275).
During our period, church buildings began to be consecrated with considerable ceremony, setting them aside specifically for Christian services (Schaff 2014, p. 2274). Schaff notes that biblical warrant for church consecrations was drawn from the ceremonies surrounding the consecration of the temple. With the newfound permissions for Christianity to be practiced in public, the ceremonies would often be well attended.
Churches could be dedicated to the Trinity, to a member of the godhead, or often to a notable figure such as an apostle or Mary (Schaff 2014, p. 2274). They would also frequently observe anniversaries of the consecration. Within the ecclesiology of the time, consecrated and unconsecrated buildings alike would be recognized as places for Christian worship and fellowship (Schaff 2014, p. 2275).
"§105. Interior Arrangement of Churches." (pp. 2275-2280).
Christian churches often had a physical arrangement reminiscent of the temple in Jerusalem (Schaff 2014, p. 2275). They often had three divisions: the place for catechumens, the faithful, and priests (Schaff 2014, p. 2276). The concept of a priesthood between the average people and God was universally present. Normally there would be an outer and inner portico. The outer was open and not considered part of the church. It would be the place of "those under heavy penance" (Schaff 2014, p. 2276), and would include a laver, where people entering would engage in a ceremonial washing.
The inner portico, a covered area, could accommodate those who were unbaptized (Schaff 2014, p. 2276). From here the preaching could be heard. A mural of Adam and Eve was frequently found here.
The nave of the church symbolized the ark of safety (Schaff 2014, p. 2277). Men would be on the south side, women on the north, or in elevated galleries. The pulpit would be about at the center of the nave, while the custom of an epistle desk at the north and a gospel desk at the south developed. The sermon could be delivered from the pulpit or the steps at the east (Schaff 2014, p. 2278). A choir would be placed to the east of the pulpit, but the west of the altar steps.
A more elevated place, also known as the choir, was the place of the altar, where the priests alone would enter to consecrate the eucharist (Schaff 2014, p. 2278). It was set apart by rails or a lattice and a curtain. Here there was the altar and a dome-shaped canopy. The altar normally contained relics or the burial place of a martyr. A small tabernacle would house the consecrated host (Schaff 2014, p. 2279). Side altars were developed later, and only in the west.
"§106. Architectural Style. The Basilicas." (pp. 2280-2283).
The architecture of basilicas, gradually becoming Gothic cathedrals, took elements from various cultures, influenced by the Jewish temple (Schaff 2014, p. 2281). Because pagan temples tended to be round and not conducive to the kind of gatherings used in Christian worship, their architectural elements were not normally adopted. Christianity preferred long rectangles, often with some side naves added on. External porticoes and colonnades could be used for other purposes. Rather than the public judicial hall, the raised place of a tribune became a place for an altar (Schaff 2014, p. 2282). The side naves caused the building to take on the shape of a cross. Towers for bells arrived about the ninth century. Schaff describes a number of ancient church buildings in brief.
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