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Churches and chapels have many different internal features designed to help people worship.

The features and layout of different denominations can differ.

Catholic churches are traditionally built in the shape of a cross, with the top of the cross facing Jerusalem. This reminds people that the cross and the death of Jesus are central to the Christian faith.

The name of this shape of building is cruciform.

The east end of the church is called the sanctuary and contains:

• the altar – a table where the bread and wine are blessed during the Eucharist
• the lectern – a stand where the Bible is read from
• the pulpit – where the priest delivers sermons
• a crucifix – a cross with Jesus on it

There is a rail, for the believers, which acts to separate the sanctuary from the place where the congregation sits, this place is known as the nave. In the nave there are often rows of pews.

Some modern Catholic Churches are built in a circular shape with the altar in the middle. This symbolises that all people are equal, because no-one is at the front or the back of the church. It reminds Catholics that God’s love and Jesus’ death are for all people no matter what their background, race, education or financial status may be.

Around the church there are 14 framed pictures. These are known as the Stations of the Cross and they show the events of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Other features that can be found in the Catholic Church include:

• a font – a large stone bowl containing holy water used to baptise babies
• a stoup – usually a small basin containing holy water, which Catholics dip their hand in to make the sign of the cross to renew their baptism promises
• statues - statues of religious figures, eg Christ, Mary or saints
• stained glass windows – often depicting biblical stories or religious teachings
• candles – often lit by Catholics when they are praying
• an organ to be played during hymn singing
• a confessional – a small enclosed cupboard or cabinet, where Catholics can confess their sins to the priest

Altar

The altar is usually the most noticeable feature in a Catholic Church. It is the place where the priest celebrates the Mass (an act to remember the death of Jesus). It is usually at the front of the church, or in the middle if the church is circular in shape. It reminds Catholics that the central part of their faith is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Some altars are made of wood and some are made of marble or stone.

Tabernacle

The tabernacle is a unique feature of the Catholic Church. It is a special box located behind the altar which is used after the Mass. After Mass, the unused bread - which is referred to as consecrated bread - is placed into the tabernacle. Catholics believe that Christ is really present in the bread so it cannot be thrown away. Sometimes Catholics will pray towards the tabernacle, this reminds them that Jesus is present in the church.

A red light, called the sanctuary lamp, is lit beside the tabernacle to show worshippers that the consecrated bread is in the tabernacle.