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Homework help: Parts of a church
Question 1 What are the uses and location in a church of the following objects: Font, Pulpit, Altar, Chalice, Paten, Lectern, Banners, Vestments?
Answer 1
The font is a place for storing holy water, which is used to baptise people, (usually children.) In Saint Mary's church, Saffron Walden, it stands in the South West corner of the church. People being christened have the holy water sprinkled on their heads. In some churches it is by the main entrance, to symbolise entry into the church body.
The pulpit is a raised platform in church from which a sermon (religious lecture) is preached. The word comes from the latin word pulpitum which meant platform or stage. It stands at the front of the nave and is quite high, so people can see the preacher and to show how important the word of God is.
The altar in Christian churches is a table on which bread and wine used during communion are consecrated (made holy by prayer.) Other religions before Christianity used altars as a place to sacrifice animals, so altars are a reminder that Christ was sacrificed for us. They symbolise the presence of God in a church and they are usually in the East End of the church, nearest Jerusalem.
The chalice is a drinking cup, (often made of gold or silver,) and is used to hold the wine during the communion. The priest puts it on the altar and prays to consecrate the wine (make it holy) before giving some to each person who comes and kneels at the altar rail during communion. It is usually kept near the plate (paten,) which holds the communion bread or wafers.
The lectern is a reading desk or book stand from which the bible is read in church. Its name comes from the word Legere, which is Latin for to read. Often the book rest where the bible stands is shaped like an eagle, which is the symbol of Saint John, who wrote one of the gospels (books in the bible which tell the story of the life of Christ.)
Vestments are the clothes that priests wear during the services. They vary according to who is wearing them and what season it is. During normal times of year the priest wears green robes, during special festivals gold or white (Christmas and Easter) and during times of repentance (Lent and Advent) like the season of Lent, purple.
Banners are pieces of cloth which have symbols and names on them. Banners can be hung from the roof or from poles which can be carried in parades.
See also
Plan of a church