Hall church
Encyclopedia
A hall church is a church with nave
and side aisles of approximately equal height, often united under a single immense roof. The term was first coined in the mid-19th century by the pioneering German art historian Wilhelm Lübke
.
In contrast to a traditional basilica
, which lets in light through a clerestory
in the upper part of the nave, a hall church is lit through windowed side walls typically spanning the full height of the interior.
This form of church construction has a long history (for example Bishop Meinwerk's Bartholomäuskapelle at Paderborn
which was consecrated c.1017) but reached its height in the late Gothic period, especially in German
Sondergotik
, and most notably in the area of Westphalia
. The design also found favour in the Angevin
lands of western France (for example, Poitiers Cathedral). Elsewhere, one also finds the hall-church design adapted to smaller-scale projects such as chapels or retrochoirs (e.g. Salisbury Cathedral
, Temple Church
, London)
Some Gothic Revival churches imitate the hall church model, particularly those following German architectural precedents. One example of a neo-Gothic hall church is St. Francis de Sales Church
in Saint Louis, Missouri, designed by Viktor Klutho and completed in 1908.
A completely separate 20th-century usage employs the term "hall church" to mean a multi-purpose building with moveable seats rather than pews and a chancel area which can be screened off, to allow use as a community centre during the week. This was particularly popular in Britain in inner city areas from the 1960s onwards.
Contrast: Church hall
.
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
and side aisles of approximately equal height, often united under a single immense roof. The term was first coined in the mid-19th century by the pioneering German art historian Wilhelm Lübke
Wilhelm Lübke
Wilhelm Lübke was a German art historian, born at Dortmund. He studied at Bonn and Berlin; was professor of architecture at the Berlin Bauakademie and professor of the history of art at Zurich , Stuttgart , and Karlsruhe...
.
In contrast to a traditional basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
, which lets in light through a clerestory
Clerestory
Clerestory is an architectural term that historically denoted an upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. In modern usage, clerestory refers to any high windows...
in the upper part of the nave, a hall church is lit through windowed side walls typically spanning the full height of the interior.
This form of church construction has a long history (for example Bishop Meinwerk's Bartholomäuskapelle at Paderborn
Paderborn
Paderborn is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, capital of the Paderborn district. The name of the city derives from the river Pader, which originates in more than 200 springs near Paderborn Cathedral, where St. Liborius is buried.-History:...
which was consecrated c.1017) but reached its height in the late Gothic period, especially in German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Sondergotik
Sondergotik
Sondergotik is the style of Late Gothic architecture prevalent in Austria, Bavaria, and Bohemia between 1350 and 1550...
, and most notably in the area of Westphalia
Westphalia
Westphalia is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Arnsberg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Minden and Münster.Westphalia is roughly the region between the rivers Rhine and Weser, located north and south of the Ruhr River. No exact definition of borders can be given, because the name "Westphalia"...
. The design also found favour in the Angevin
House of Plantagenet
The House of Plantagenet , a branch of the Angevins, was a royal house founded by Geoffrey V of Anjou, father of Henry II of England. Plantagenet kings first ruled the Kingdom of England in the 12th century. Their paternal ancestors originated in the French province of Gâtinais and gained the...
lands of western France (for example, Poitiers Cathedral). Elsewhere, one also finds the hall-church design adapted to smaller-scale projects such as chapels or retrochoirs (e.g. Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
, Temple Church
Temple Church
The Temple Church is a late-12th-century church in London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames, built for and by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters. In modern times, two Inns of Court both use the church. It is famous for its effigy tombs and for being a round church...
, London)
Some Gothic Revival churches imitate the hall church model, particularly those following German architectural precedents. One example of a neo-Gothic hall church is St. Francis de Sales Church
St. Francis de Sales Church (St. Louis, Missouri)
St. Francis de Sales Church is a Roman Catholic Oratory located on the South Side of St. Louis, Missouri. It is the second largest church in the Archdiocese of St. Louis after the cathedral-basilica. The church is popularly known as the "Cathedral of South St. Louis."The historic main church was...
in Saint Louis, Missouri, designed by Viktor Klutho and completed in 1908.
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A completely separate 20th-century usage employs the term "hall church" to mean a multi-purpose building with moveable seats rather than pews and a chancel area which can be screened off, to allow use as a community centre during the week. This was particularly popular in Britain in inner city areas from the 1960s onwards.
Contrast: Church hall
Church hall
A church hall is a room or building associated with a church, general for community and charitable use . It is normally located near the church, typically in smaller and village communities. Activities in the hall are not necessarily religious, but are typically an important part of local community...
.