Part 1914

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A Jewish or heathen temple.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Acts xix. 37.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A formally organized body of Christian believers worshiping together.</def> "When they had ordained them elders in every <i>church</i>."

<i>Acts xiv. 23.</i>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>A body of Christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a denomination; <as>as, the Roman Catholic <ex>church</ex>; the Presbyterian <ex>church</ex>.</as></def>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>The collective body of Christians.</def>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>Any body of worshipers; <as>as, the Jewish <ex>church</ex>; the <ex>church</ex> of Brahm.</as></def>

<p><b>7.</b> <def>The aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, etc.; <as>as, to array the power of the <ex>church</ex> against some moral evil</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Remember that both <b>church</b> and state are properly the rulers of the people, only because they are their benefactors. <i>Bulwer.</i></blockquote>

<note>&hand; <i>Church</i> is often used in composition to denote something belonging or relating to the church; as, <i>church</i> authority; <i>church</i> history; <i>church</i> member; <i>church</i> music, etc.</note>

<cs><col>Apostolic church</col>. <cd>See under <er>Apostolic</er>.</cd> -- <col>Broad church</col>. <cd>See <er>Broad Church</er>.</cd> -- <mcol><col>Catholic</col> &or; <col>Universal church</col></mcol>, <cd>the whole body of believers in Christ throughout the world.</cd> -- <mcol><col>Church of England</col>, &or; <col>English church</col></mcol>, <cd>the Episcopal church established and endowed in England by law.</cd> -- <col>Church living</col>, <cd>a benefice in an established church.</cd> -- <col>Church militant</col>. <cd>See under <er>Militant</er>.</cd> -- <col>Church owl</col> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld>, <cd>the white owl. See <er>Barn owl</er>.</cd> -- <col>Church rate</col>, <cd>a tax levied on parishioners for the maintenance of the church and its services.</cd> -- <col>Church session</col></mcol>. <cd>See under <er>Session</er>.</cd> -- <col>Church triumphant</col>. <cd>See under <er>Triumphant</er>.</cd> -- <col>Church work</col>, <cd>work on, or in behalf of, a church; the work of a particular church for the spread of religion.</cd> -- <col>Established church</col>, <cd>the church maintained by the civil authority; a state church.</cd></cs>

<h1>Church</h1> <Xpage=255>

<hw>Church</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Churched</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Churching</er>.]</wordforms> <def>To bless according to a prescribed form, or to unite with in publicly returning thanks in church, as after deliverance from the dangers of childbirth; <as>as, the <ex>churching</ex> of women</as>.</def>

<h1>Church-ale</h1> <Xpage=255>

<hw>Church"-ale`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A church or parish festival (as in commemoration of the dedication of a church), at which much ale was used.</def>

<i>Wright. Nares.</i>

<h1>Church-bench</h1> <Xpage=255>

<hw>Church"-bench`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A seat in the porch of a church.</def>

<i>Shak.</i>

<h1>Churchdom</h1> <Xpage=255>

<hw>Church"dom</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The institution, government, or authority of a church.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Bp. Pearson.</i>

<h1>Churchgoer</h1> <Xpage=255>

<hw>Church"go`er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who attends church.</def>

<h1>Churchgoing</h1> <Xpage=255>

<hw>Church"go`ing</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Habitually attending church.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Summoning to church.</def>

<blockquote>The sound of the <b>churchgoing</b> bell. <i>Cowper.</i></blockquote>