Online Encyclopedia Search Tool

Your Online Encyclopedia

 

Online Encylopedia and Dictionary Research Site

Online Encyclopedia Free Search Online Encyclopedia Search    Online Encyclopedia Browse    welcome to our free dictionary for your research of every kind

Online Encyclopedia



Chapel

A chapel is a church other than a parish church, often attached to a larger institution such as a college, a hospital, a palace, or a prison. One of the best known is that at King's College, Cambridge, which has a renowned choir. Another famous chapel is Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo's paintings on its ceilings.

In English history, chapel was formerly the required designation of the churches of nonconformist faiths, which is to say, any Protestant churches outside of the established Church of England. It was a word particularly associated with religious practice in Wales.

This distinction had an impact in the Irish language in the Middle Ages, as Welsh people came with the Norman and Old English invaders to the island of Ireland. While the traditional Irish word for church was éaglais, a new word, ceipéal (from chapel) came into usage.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, chapels are local church buildings. The name of the church is on the outside of the building, and there is usually a steeple without a cross. In the main room of the chapel used for the Sacrament meeting there are no paintings, flags, statues, carvings, or symbols. Although some chapels have pictures on stained glass. There are pictures or paintings in the hallways and in the classrooms and offices. There is an office for the Bishop or Branch President of the local "Ward" or "Branch" of the church. There are several classrooms used for Sunday School, Seminary classes, and youth groups on Sunday and throughout the week.

Stake Centers are also used for weekly services.

Last updated: 02-07-2005 21:00:11
Last updated: 03-02-2005 05:41:48