Illustrated Architecture Dictionary

Sanctuary
SANK chew air ee

The immediate area around the principal altar, which is enclosed by a communion rail, setting it off from the nave

The words chancel and sanctuary are often synonyms. Protestant churches tend to use "chancel," whereas Catholic churches tend to use "sanctuary."

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Examples from Buffalo architecture:

• Illustration above: St. Francis RC Church/Buffalo Religious Arts Center
  
  
• Central Presbyterian Church
  
  
• Unitarian Universalist Church
  
  
• St. Joseph's Old Cathedral
  
  
• St. John the Evangelist RC Church
  
  
• St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church/St. Luke's Mission of Mercy
  
  
• Prospect Avenue Baptist Church