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chancel Definition

chan·cel (c̸hansəl)

noun

the part of a church around the altar, usually at the east end, reserved for the use of the clergy and the choir: it is sometimes set off by a railing or screen

Etymology: ME chauncel < OFr chancel < LL cancellus < L cancelli, pl., lattices: see cancel

chancel Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • repair: Repairs and alterations The rector or patron was expected to repair the chancel, while parishioners repaired the nave.
  • comprise: The old church comprised chancel, nave, a north chapel under a separate gable, ( fn.
  • restore: The church was largely rebuilt in 1870 and the chancel much restored in 1874.
  • divide: Mention should also be made of the wooden columns that divide the chancel from the Yale Chapel.

Adjective modifier

  • apsidal: A small apsidal chancel had been added in 1870.
  • 14th: Beyond it, the grand 14th century chancel, rudely filling almost the entire east end of the graveyard.
  • 13th: BACK Interior of the church looking from the 13th Century chancel to the nave.
  • narrow: Architecture The church consists of a nave and slightly narrower chancel, a west tower and a south vestry.
  • Victorian: Finally, step up into the wholly Victorian chancel.
  • north: Wall marks indicate where memorials were formerly set on either side of the window, these now removed to north chancel.

Modifies a noun

  • arch: Above the chancel arch, there is a doom painting.
  • aisle: The chancel aisles have four bays, the fourth also belonging to the retrochoir.
  • roof: Chancel roof consists of sheets of lead on concrete.
  • chapel: In the south chancel chapel is the famous St Edmund bench end, attached to a modern bench.
  • arcade: The oldest part of the present building is the north chancel arcade.
  • wall: The chancel walls are of rough stone with dressed stone around the openings.

Preposition: of

  • church: Jenner was buried on 3 February 1823 in the chancel of the parish church of Berkeley.

Preposition: from

  • nave: Four steps up to chancel from nave, one step up to sanctuary.

Preposition: with

  • vestry: It consists of a nave and north aisle, and chancel with a small south vestry and a north chapel.
  • aisle: It consists of a nave with aisles and clerestorey, chancel with aisles, and a tower at the west end.