What a church looks like on the outside—what we usually mean when we say architecture—is relatively unimportant. The primary work of the church, and the primary way a church is worked on and built up, is through the means of grace, its worship, which generally takes place indoors on this continent in this century. This means the layout and furnishing of the worship hall1 is of great importance. This even applies in temporary or rented spaces. There are three main layouts.
FIRST, is the split chancel, which we might also call the cathedral plan. This space may be square, but is usually rectangular and longer than it is wide, with the pulpit and table located on one of the short sides. There is often a long center aisle, which lends itself to processions and ceremony. This layout did not infect Reformed churches in the US until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The lagging but pernicious effect of the early 19th century’s high church Oxford Movement in England led to grand but ungainly buildings replacing simpler ones in the US, and saw central pulpits shifted to the side in deference to elevated tables, massive organs, and ornament.
The split chancel is absolutely the worst layout for a Reformed church, which ought to value the centrality of preaching, spoken prayers, readings, confessions, and congregational singing over high church affectations, accoutrements, and accretions. Many churches inherited this layout; amazingly, some churches have willingly adopted it in new construction, even in the last few decades.
Brad Isbell | “Church Architecture Shapes Worship” | May 1, 2025
RESOURCES
- Subscribe To The Heidelblog!
- Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play
- Browse the Heidelshop!
- The Heidelblog Resource Page
- Heidelmedia Resources
- The Ecumenical Creeds
- The Reformed Confessions
- The Heidelberg Catechism
- The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, & Pastoral Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2025)
- Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008)
- Why I Am A Christian
- What Must A Christian Believe?
- Heidelblog Contributors
- Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to
Heidelberg Reformation Association
1637 E. Valley Parkway #391
Escondido CA 92027
USA
The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Brad Isbell
Brad Isbell is a ruling elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, TN, board member of More In The PCA, co-host of the Presbycast podcast, editorial member of Presbyterian Polity, and treasurer of the Heidelberg Reformation Association.
More by Brad Isbell ›