religion, faith - institution to express belief in a divine power; "he was raised in the Baptist religion"; "a member of his own faith contradicted him"

Christendom, Christianity - the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia); "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom"

Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Armenian Church - an independent Christian church established in Armenia since 300; was influenced by both Roman and Byzantine traditions; headed by a catholico

Catholic Church - any of several churches claiming to have maintained historical continuity with the original Christian Church

Nestorian Church - a Christian Church in the Middle East that followed Nestorianism; there is still a small Nestorian Church in Iraq headed by a catholico

Coptic Church - the ancient Christian church of Egypt

Protestant Church, Protestant - the Protestant churches and denominations collectively

Unification Church - a Christian church (with some Buddhist elements) founded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon and known for staging mass weddings and other communal activities

Christian - a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination

church service, church - a service conducted in a church; "don't be late for church"

abbey - a church associated with a monastery or convent

amen corner - area reserved for persons leading the responsive amens

apse, apsis - a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar

basilica - an early Christian church designed like a Roman basilica; or a Roman Catholic church or cathedral accorded certain privileges; "the church was raised to the rank of basilica"

cathedral - any large and important church

cathedral - the principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese

bema, chancel, sanctuary - area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

church tower - the tower of a church

kirk - a Scottish church

lady chapel - a small chapel in a church; dedicated to the Virgin Mary

narthex - a vestibule leading to the nave of a church

nave - the central area of a church

house of God, house of prayer, house of worship, place of worship - any building where congregations gather for prayer

presbytery - building reserved for the officiating clergy

rood screen - a screen in a church; separates the nave from the choir or chancel

side chapel - a small chapel off the side aisle of a church

transept - structure forming the transverse part of a cruciform church; crosses the nave at right angles

sacristy, vestry - a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept or meetings are held

divine service, religious service, service - the act of public worship following prescribed rules; "the Sunday service"

Divine Office - canonical prayers recited daily by priests (e.g. the breviary of the Roman Catholic Church)

church building, church - a place for public (especially Christian) worship; "the church was empty"

church bell - a bell in a church tower (usually sounded to summon people to church); "church bells were ringing all over town"

crypt - a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber (especially beneath a church)

hassock - a cushion for kneeling on (as when praying in church)

spire, steeple - a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top

Puritanism - the beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinists who wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects)

banns - a public announcement of a proposed marriage

preaching, sermon, discourse - an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

Anglican Church, Anglican Communion, Church of England - the national church of England (and all other churches in other countries that share its beliefs); has its see in Canterbury and the Sovereign as its temporal head

High Anglican Church, High Church - a group in the Anglican Church that emphasizes the Catholic tradition (especially in sacraments and rituals and obedience to church authority)

separationist, separatist - an advocate of secession or separation from a larger group (such as an established church or a national union)

disestablish - deprive (an established church) of its status

attend, go to - be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.; "She attends class regularly"; "I rarely attend services at my church"; "did you go to the meeting?"

body - a group of persons associated by some common tie or occupation and regarded as an entity; "the whole body filed out of the auditorium"

Christendom, Christianity - the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia); "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom"

perform - perform a function; "Who will perform the wedding?"