Christian Churches
A01 St. Barnabas Cathedral Nottingham - Roman Catholic
St Barnabas Cathedral is the cathedral of the diocese of Nottinghamshire. It was finished on the 27th August 1844 and was built by Pugin who equated the Gothic style of the building with Christianity.
The building is in the shape of a cross and this was done to show the remembrance of Christ's suffering. Another main feature of the church is the spire in the centre of the church to draw attention to the heavens and to represent that in the cathedral we are close to God.
The building is decorated with stain glass windows. These depict the saints or a part of Jesus' life, for example one of the Stations of the Cross. In the picture to the left you can see two saints looking at Jesus in the centre he is standing on a globe. This window can be known as a 'sacramental' - these are icons that are designed to help the relationship with God, they are not simply decoration.
The Sanctuary is probably the most important area in the Cathedral, the sanctuary at St Barnabas is in the centre from where the spire is above. From here the priest celebrates the mass and leads services. It is slightly raised which separates it from the rest of the cathedral, but is clearly still at the heart of the church. The sanctuary at St. Barnabas contains the altar and the lectern and the bishop's chair.
The tabernacle at St. Barnabas is kept in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It is a very Gothic area of the building and is highly decorated. The tabernacle is the most important object in a catholic cathedral. The tabernacle is a shrine, which in this case is made of gold and precious stones and veiled with a coloured cloth. The chapel itself is set aside for private prayer and is a peaceful chapel. The tabernacle is only used by Orthodox and Catholic Christians and is not used by any of the protestant churches. It contains the Blessed Sacrament, the bread consecrated by the priest at Mass which in catholic belief is transformed into the Body of Christ. It is reserved for Eucharist. Near the tabernacle was the sanctuary lamp which symbolises the living presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
The Altar is situated in the sanctuary, it is probably the most prominent object in the sanctuary and is the holy table on which the sacrifice of Mass is offered. Traditionally, an altar which has been consecrated like the one in the Cathedral of St. Barnabas is made of stone. The altar was then decorated with gold. The body and blood rest here during mass and so the altar is treated with reverence and covered with a white cloth. It may be decorated with candles and cross. The altar is the first table.
The ambo or lectern is also placed within the sanctuary and from here the word of God is read and proclaimed within a catholic mass. Other liturgies may be said from here. If the altar is the first table then the ambo is the second table. Homilies, sermons and even prayers are given from the ambo; it is made from wood and stands facing the pews just in front of the altar. It may be decorated and is treated with respect.
The font is the representation of the river in which Jesus was first baptised. It is a little smaller but the symbolism is all there. It is from the font that children and occasionally adults are baptised and brought into God's family. It may be placed in a baptistery or as is the case with the Cathedral it may be near the sanctuary.
Pascal candle is often near the font; it is very large and placed on a high stand. It is lit throughout the Easter season and after every baptism and funeral.
The Aumbry is the cupboard in which all the oils used for baptism; confirmations and the anointing of the sick are kept.
Holy water is kept in bowls around the Cathedral though mainly at the entrances. Upon entering you are supposed to make the sign of the cross. It has been blessed by the priest and can be taken away for use at home.
Churches and Cathedrals try and use all of the five senses of the body. Crosses and crucifixes are put up to help you see the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is put in a place where it can be seen throughout the church. The crucifix at St. Barnabas is a large golden cross with a ...
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Holy water is kept in bowls around the Cathedral though mainly at the entrances. Upon entering you are supposed to make the sign of the cross. It has been blessed by the priest and can be taken away for use at home.
Churches and Cathedrals try and use all of the five senses of the body. Crosses and crucifixes are put up to help you see the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is put in a place where it can be seen throughout the church. The crucifix at St. Barnabas is a large golden cross with a model of Jesus on it. It is very ornate and decorative and reflects the atmosphere of the Cathedral.
Images of the mother of Jesus are common in catholic churches. In protestant churches she is not so honoured and revered but in catholic tradition she has special significance. Main statues and pictures can be found of her. She is usually holding her baby son Jesus.
Christ Church Chilwell, Nottingham- Evangelical
Christ church is a parish church in the Church of England collective. It was built between 1901 and 1903; however the chancel was added in 1957 by architect Eric Vernon Royle. It is in the diocese of Southwell and Nottingham and in the province of York.
The building is a long rectangle with focal areas at the front. There is a bell which in earlier times would have been rung to tell people it was time for the Sunday service. There is also a cross on the front of the building; making it known that it was a Christian building.
Christ church is a pulpit centred church, this means that their service is more based on liturgy, hymns and prayer. In contrast to Catholic churches, where the altar is the most significant object in the church; this is because Catholics celebrate the Eucharist every day, though generally on Sundays. However in C of E churches communion (Eucharist) is celebrated once every month or fortnight.
Banners decorate the sides of the church. These banners are used as both aids to prayer and to worship. They provide decoration for the church. They communicate the testimony or story, and are chiefly used by evangelists.
At the front of the church sits the pulpit, this is the most important piece of furniture in the sanctuary; which for Protestants lies at the front of the church. The pulpit is noted as the place where the minister stands and is central to the whole congregation. It may be adorned with a piece of cloth and flowers may sit on it or in front of it. In the case of Christ Church it is decorated with both a cloth and flowers. It is also the largest piece of furniture in the church apart from the organ. This shows that God's message is the most important part of the service and is mainly used for sermons.
Second to the pulpit is the lectern, this is a stand where the bible sits and it is from here that most scripture is often read. It faces the pews themselves and is where most of the word of God is said. It looks like a small reading desk with a slanted top.
Another major feature of the church is the large organ at one end. The organ is used chiefly for songs and hymns during a service. To accompany the organ Christ Church have a robe choir which sings at every service. Music is a key part of the service as it is one of the ways to worship God.
The altar is at the far end and out of the way this is because Holy Communion isn't an important part of the Evangelist tradition. On the altar stand two candles a cross and some flowers. The candles represent Jesus who is the light of the world and the cross shows Jesus' sacrifice for the world. Evangelists practice something called an altar call in which people are invited to the altar where they may recite the sinners' prayer and this way they reaffirm their faith and belief in God. The altar at Christ Church was inscribed with the passage "Do this in remembrance of me" Luke 22:19. This states that Communion is a representation rather than like in the Catholic Church a sacrament.
The font is the place where infants and adults can be baptised. Baptism is the only sacrament celebrated by the protestant churches and so the font holds special significance. It is filled with holy water and usually only contains a couple of litres. The font to the left is decorated at the top with a cross reminding us about the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
At the back of the church is a small meeting area which shows the more informal nature of the church. It is used for tea and coffee at the start or end of services and shows the more relaxed way in which evangelical Christians meet at church. It provides a place for the service to be discussed.
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Altar
The altar is a key part of all denominations of churches. In Christianity it comes from the table in which Jesus broke the bread and blessed the wine. When he did this he was telling us the sacrifice he was about to make. In terms of sacrifice the altar had been used for thousands of years by the Jewish people. They would go to the temple to sacrifice an animal on the altar, but Jesus gave up his life for our sins and his once-for-all sacrifice means that animal sacrifice was no longer necessary. In this way the altar represents Christ and when the bread and wine are consecrated in a Catholic mass the priest and the lay people should remember the sacrifice Jesus made. Altars are often made of stone this is because Christ is the cornerstone of the Catholic Church and so the altar should be strong.
The altar epitomises the sacrifice made by God through his son and is the symbol of our victory over sin. An altar can be used as physical representation of our bond with God. The altar is at the heart of the church and as St. John Chrysostom said "You can call happy those who saw Him. But, come to the altar and you will see Him, you will touch Him, you will give to Him holy kisses, you will wash Him with your tears, you will carry Him within you like Mary Most Holy." When at the altar you are with God. You are receiving the Eucharist and through this you are renewing the covenant with God, and expressing your faith, whether it is sacramental or not.
Sanctuary
The sanctuary is the most important place in the church as it where the altar is and where God resides in the church. When a Christians enters the sanctuary they should feel close to God and should be respectful. The sanctuary comes from the times of King Solomon's temple, which had a sanctuary all though it was called the Holy of Holies.
The sanctuary should have special importance during lent and leading up to Easter as it contains the altar which is the representation of Jesus' sacrifice. Christians should be called to remember the sacrifices made by God, Saints and peers.
Pulpit
The pulpit is usually raised above the pews and so you look up towards it. From the pulpit the Bible is read and so it gives the feeling of the word of God coming from up high. "The words of the Bible, and the Bible alone, should be heard from the pulpit." Ellen G. White. When a believer looks up at the pulpit and hears the Good News they should feel privileged and in awe. The comment made by Ellen G. White tells us that the pulpit is a special place where the word of God should be heard from, nothing else should be said. It reflects the belief that God's word isn't to be declared naively; it should be said with meaning and purpose. Also the pulpit is the place for the minister or priest, so in conjunction with her statement God's word should be heard from the pulpit but also from his representative, "In Persona Christi" or in the person of Christ. The pulpit is the place for Christ's representative to say Gods message. The pulpit assists belief by giving the bible a purposeful place to be heard and acknowledged from.
Tabernacle
The tabernacle is the place where the Blessed Sacrament is stored, it holds special significance as in mass as the bread is consecrated Catholics believe that the body, blood, soul and divinity remain in the bread. We use the word tabernacle as it refers to the presence of God. This signifies that in the tabernacle God is present, and a sanctuary lamp may be nearby representing Jesus' living presence. The tabernacle should also be a special place of reverence during lent and Easter as it is the place where the body and blood are kept which Jesus gave for us on Easter Sunday.
Font
The font is the place where babies and adults are baptised. Baptism is the time when we are welcomed in to the family of God. Baptism symbolises the cleansing of our sins and the washing away of original sin. When baptised we are in union with Jesus Christ and so are close to him. When a believer is baptised or sees a baptism they should remember this is a gift of freedom from sin and also that they are being welcomed to God. It starts the process of faith and reflects the belief that with Christ your sins are washed away.
Cross
The cross epitomises Christ's suffering for our sins. It is the visual representation of the pain that he went through. The cross symbolises self-sacrifice, and devotion to truth. It is the foundation of the church as it the one basic belief which makes you Christian. If you do not believe Jesus died on the cross and was reborn then you aren't a Christian, but if you do you should see that it reflects the teachings of Jesus over the three years that he preached; to help those less fortunate than yourselves. In the sense the cross is a calling to selflessness and eternal life. "God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ''I love you.'' Billy Graham. The Cross is the symbol of God's undying love for us. The cross can be used as an aid to prayer and is a visual symbol of his love for us all.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross can be depicted in the form of pictures or stained glass window they are the final events in Jesus' life leading to the resurrection. These are the final moments of the life of Jesus, they are probably the most important and pivotal moments in the history of the church as it is then that Jesus laid down his life to beat sin and grant everyone eternal life. He endured insults and suffering. The stations depict this and reflect the atrocity that Jesus went through.
When a believer looks at the Stations of the Cross they should pray and use them to assist and reaffirm their belief of God. The Stations of the Cross help you to picture what Christ went through, they may assist belief through prayer or imaging yourself in Jesus' shoes, how scared you would be and the courage he showed, in this way faith may be restored, renewed or reimbursed
"You do not need to go to church to be a Christian"
Many people believe you do need to go to church to be a Christian. They think this because the bible commands us to go to church , it says we should not forsake "our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near," (Hebrews. 10:25). You need to hear the word of God being preached. The word of God is the truth that he wants us to know and so you should go and hear it. One of the Ten Commandments is also to "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy." (Exodus. 20:8) He commands us to keep it holy as it is a day of rest and holds special significance as it is also the day Jesus died. In this way we should remember that Sunday is a special day and should be celebrated and kept holy by going to church and hearing the word of God.
The message of God is important "So shall my word be which goes forth from my mouth. It shall not return to me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it," (Isaiah. 55:11). God sent his word out to be preached, it contains the Good News and he intends for it to be heard. Church provides the ideal place for it to be received.
In baptism or in confirmation you profess your faith. You make important promises such as renouncing evil and accepting the freedom of God, but then you promise to trust him in salvation in unity with the church. In these promises you accept God and promise to serve the community and the church. You cannot serve if you do not go.
"I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you." (1 Corinthians 11:2) Paul says we are to remember the practices of Christianity, mainly the Eucharist as it when we receive the body and blood. The church is the home of Christian practices and without them you may grow spiritually cold or distant. We still may believe but we stand outside Christ's covenant in our practice. "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35) If you go to church and with God spiritually then you will always be looked after as a Christian, you are within the flock of God, and like a shepherd makes sure his sheep don't go hungry so will God make sure you will be safe. But to be with God completely without being complete in discipleship and without the help of other Christians, the church provides the place to reaffirm belief and have guidance.
Other people believe that you don't have to go to church to be a Christian, they think this because the Bible which is god word made written and is accessible to everyone. So anybody can read the bible and understand its message. At church the main thing you get is the message of God and you can read it at home. If you put the teaching provided in it and you still believe in God then in definition you are still a Christian.
Jesus gives us two commandments "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself." If you obey these commandments then are you not also a Christian. To follow the basic commandments laid down by Christ himself is to follow the Lord and a follower of the Lord is a Christian.
Paul said that to follow Christ is to follow the example Christ made, to lead the life Christ led. "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1) To lead your life as a Christian you must live your life like Christ, this means helping the poor and doing good services or giving money to charity; basically selflessly.
I think to be a true Christian in the purest sense of the word you must first believe in God wholly and undoubtedly. You must live your life through Christ teachings of love God and your neighbour and finally to go to church whenever you can as church is the place you are truly connected with God, for it is here that you can receive God and understand him and be continually spiritually renewed.
