CHURCH, Simple, is that which has only a nave and a choir.
CHURCH with Isles, that which has a row of porticos, in form of vaulted galleries, with chapels in its circumference.
CHURCH in a Greek cross, that where the length of the transverse part is equal to that of the nave; so called because most of the Greek churches are built in this form.
CHURCH in a Latin cross, that whose nave is longer than the cross part, as in most of the Gothic churches.
CHURCH in Rotundo, that whose plan is a perfect circle, in imitation of the Pantheon.
For the form of the ancient Greek churches, when they had all their parts, it was as follows: first was a porch, or portico, called the pronaos, protonos; this was adorned with columns on the outside, and on the inside surrounded with a wall; in the middle whereof was a door, through which they passed into a second portico. The first of these porticos was destined for the eneryum, and penitents in the first stage of their repentance; the second was much longer, destined for penitents of the second class, and the catechumens, and hence called proskela, serula, because those placed in it began to be subject to the discipline of the church. These two porticos took up about one third of the space of the church. From the second portico, they passed into the nave, naos, which took up near another third of the church. In the middle, or at one side of the nave, was the ambo, where the deacons and priests read the gospel, and preached. The nave was destined for the reception of the people, who here assisted at prayers.
Near the entrance of this was the baptistery or font. Beyond the nave was the choir, choros, set with seats, and round: the first seat on the right, next the sanctuary, being for the chantor, or choragus.
From the choir they ascended by steps to the sanctuary, which was entered at three doors. The sanctuary had three apses in its length; a great one in the middle, under which was the altar, crowned with a baldachin, supported by four columns. Under each of the small apses, was a kind of table or cupboard, in manner of a beaufet.
Though, of the Greek churches now remaining, few have all the parts above described, most of them having been reduced to ruins or converted into mosques.
High-Church was a denomination originally given to those otherwise called Nonjurors, who refused to acknowledge the title of William III. to the crown of Great Britain, under a notion that James II. though excluded, was still their rightful sovereign. This appellation was given them, because they entertained high notions of the dignity and power of the church, and the extent of its prerogative and jurisdiction. And those, on the contrary, were called low-church men, who disapproved of the secession and obstinacy of the nonjurors, distinguished themselves by their moderation toward dissenters, and were less ardent in extending the limits of church authority. The denomination of high-church men is now more generally applied to all who form pompous and ambitious conceptions of the authority and jurisdiction of the church, and who would raise it to an absolute independence on all human power.