church door
Sanctuary's main entry
A church door is the entrance to a church building.
The phrase appears most often in the expression as plain as a church door—meaning obvious or unmistakable, though the simile is old-fashioned.
Historically, church doors served as community bulletin boards where official notices, including marriage banns, were posted.
Imposing entrance or gate
- narthexChurch entrance hall
- archwayCurved overhead passage
- lintelBeam over an opening
- thresholdPoint of beginning
doorjamb · architrave · frame · sill · hinge · latch · knocker · keyhole
Protected sacred space
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- holy waterSacramental liquid for blessings
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
reverence · devotion · rite of passage · baptism · wedding · funeral · pilgrimage · procession
Arch with angled apex
- traceryDecorative branching stonework
- archesWeight-bearing curved spans
- ogivePointed arch form
- carved stoneRock shaped by chisel
iron hinges · medieval · cathedral · lancet · rose window · gargoyles · flying buttresses · spires
Unblocked entrances
- greeterOne who welcomes arrivals
- usherOne who seats guests
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
congregation · inclusive · belonging · acceptance · community · reception · invitation · hospitality
portal
Imposing entrance or gate
threshold · doorjamb · architrave · frame · sill · hinge · latch · knocker · keyhole · bolt
sanctuary
Protected sacred space
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- holy waterSacramental liquid for blessings
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
sacrament · reverence · devotion · rite of passage · baptism · wedding · funeral · pilgrimage · procession · genuflection
pointed arch
Arch with angled apex
carved stone · iron hinges · medieval · cathedral · lancet · rose window · gargoyles · flying buttresses · spires · vaulted ceilings
open doors
Unblocked entrances
fellowship · congregation · inclusive · belonging · acceptance · community · reception · invitation · hospitality · refuge
- sacred portalsmagic portal, dimensional rift, torii gate, temple gate, pearly gates
- doorsFrench doors, sliding doors, glass doors, double doors, interior doors
- doorwaysthreshold, passage, portal, entryway, gateway
- church sculpturerood, angel statue, crucifix, pieta, pietà