Presbyterianism

==Architecture==
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[[File:Cold Spring Presby from SE.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Cold Spring Presbyterian Church]] near Cape May, New Jersey, rebuilt 1823.]]
[[File:4th Presbyterian Chicago 2004-11 img 2602.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Fourth Presbyterian Church (Chicago)]], built 1914.]]
Some early Presbyterians, which were influenced by the puritan movement, were careful to distinguish between the "church", which referred to the ''members'', and the "meeting house", which was the building in which the church met. (Quakers still insist upon this distinction.) Until the late 19th century, very few Presbyterians ever referred to their buildings as "churches". Presbyterians believed that meeting-houses (now called churches) are buildings to support the worship of God. The [[Interior decoration|decor]] in some instances was austere so as not to detract from worship. Early Presbyterian meeting-houses were extremely plain. No stained glass, no elaborate furnishings, and no images were to be found in the meeting-house. The pulpit, often raised so as only to be accessible by a staircase, was the centerpiece of the building. But these were not the standard characteristics of the mainline Presbyterians. These were more of the wave of Presbyterians that were influenced by the Puritans.

In the late 19th century a gradual shift began to occur. Prosperous congregations built imposing churches, such as [[Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago]], [[Brick Presbyterian Church (New York City)|Brick Presbyterian Church]] in New York City, [[Shadyside Presbyterian Church]] in Pennsylvania, St Stephen Presbyterian in Fort Worth, Texas, and many others.

While Presbyterian churches historically reflected prevailing architectural trends, the 20th century saw a greater embrace of modern architectural styles, particularly the [[Modern architecture|modernist movement]] characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes, and open floor plans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is Modern Architecture? Everything You Ever Wanted to Know |url=https://www.thespruce.com/modern-architecture-4797910 |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=The Spruce |language=en}}</ref> Prominent examples include [[Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church]] in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with expansive, light-filled sanctuary and angular design elements.  Similarly, the [[National Presbyterian Church]] in Washington, D.C., features a striking facade clad in limestone and punctuated by large windows, alongside abstract stained-glass windows. Both of these were designed by famed architect [[Harold E. Wagoner]].
[[File:Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.jpg|thumb|[[Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church]], an example of modern church architecture. Built in the 1970s.]]
Usually a Presbyterian church will not have statues of saints, nor the ornate altar more typical of a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] church. Instead, there is a "communion table", usually on the same level as the congregation, and sometimes elevated similar to an altar, however surrounded by the chancel. There may be a rail between the communion table and the chancel behind it, which may contain a more decorative altar-type table, choir loft, or choir stalls, lectern and clergy area. The altar is called the communion table, and the altar area is called the chancel by Presbyterians. In Presbyterian, and in Reformed churches, there may be an altar cross, either on the communion table or on a table in the chancel. By using the "empty" cross, or cross of the Westminster/Celtic cross, Presbyterians emphasize the resurrection and that Christ is not continually dying, but died once and is alive for all eternity. Quite a few Presbyterian church buildings are decorated with a cross, that has a circle around the center, or Celtic cross. This not only emphasizes the resurrection, but also acknowledges historical aspects of Presbyterianism. A baptismal font will be located either at the entrance or near the chancel area. Presbyterian architecture generally makes significant use of symbolism. One may also find decorative and ornate stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible. Some Presbyterian churches will also have ornate statues of Christ or graven scenes from the Last Supper located behind the chancel. St. Giles' Cathedral in Scotland has a crucifix next to an ornate elevated communion table that hangs alongside. The image of Christ is more of a faint image, with a more modern design.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://stgilescathedral.org.uk/st-giles-life/ |title=Cathedral Life |date=24 September 2018 |access-date=29 July 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806133437/https://stgilescathedral.org.uk/st-giles-life/ |url-status=live }}</ref>