Altar: The table on which the Christian rite of communion the mass, or the Eucharist, is carried out.

Ambo: A large reading desk; pulpit.

Apse: A rounded architectural detail at the end of a transept or branch of a building.

Ark: The enclosed structure in the center of Jewish worship which contains the scriptures of the Torah.

Baptistry: That part of a Christian church where the rite of baptism takes place. May take the form of a simple font or a small pool.

Bema: (1) The raised lectern in a synagogue from which the Torah is read; (2) Enclosed space behind the altar, chiefly in Eastern Rite churches.

Bishop: The spiritual head of a large group of parishes, chiefly in the liturgical denominations. Also the head of a ward in the LDS church.

Cantor: The singer who chants, or intones, parts of the liturgy. Chiefly in Jewish and liturgical Christian practice.

Cathedral: The seat of a Bishop's authority, chiefly Roman Catholic and Episcopal.

Choir: That part of a church where the choir normally sits.

Chancel: That part of a church which is the center of the service. Usually includes the altar, choir, lectern, and pulpit.

Communion table: Equivalent of the altar in nonliturgical churches.

Congregation: Generally, the membership of a local church, synagogue, or temple.

Crossing: In cruciform churches, the area of intersection between the nave and transepts.

Deacon: The lowest level of priesthood in liturgical churches; a layman's position in many non-liturgical churches.

Elder: A high ranking layman's position in many nonliturgical churches.

Font, baptismal: A fixed large basin used in the rite of baptism in many churches.

Gallery: The term normally used to describe a balcony in a church, synagogue, or temple.

Lectern: A reading desk, located at the front of the chancel, used for scripture readings and laymen's messages.

Minister: A term used in reference to the spiritual leader of a Protestant congregation.

Minister of Music: The position, in any church, of authority over all musical matters.

Narthex: The formal entrance or foyer in a church.

Nave: The main seating area in a cruciform church.

Parish: A term referring to a local congregation in a liturgical denomination. Also may refer to the neighborhood or territory surrounding the congregation.

Pastor: The spiritual head of a Christian congregation or parish.

Priest: The spiritual leader of a Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or Episcopal church.

Pulpit: A large reading desk at the front of the chancel from which the sermon is given.

Rabbi: The spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation.

Rector: A term used in the Episcopal church to indicate the spiritual head of the parish.

Sacristy: An area adjacent to the chancel in a liturgical church dedicated to altar and other chancel preparations for worship.

Sanctuary: A general term used to describe the entire worship area of a church, including the chancel and congregational seating areas.

Synagogue: The building occupied by an orthodox or conservative Jewish congregation.

Tabernacle: A recessed cabinet in the wall of the chancel, adjacent to the altar, where communion elements may be kept. Chiefly Roman Catholic.

Temple: The building occupied by a reform Jewish congregation.

Transept: The lateral arms of the cross in cruciform churches. Normally used for congregational seating.

Ward: The term used for local LDS congregations.