CATHEDRALS AND CHURCHES, the latter name derived from the Greek evpuusor Lord's House, the former from the Greek aseaPal a "seat? Thus, "to speak ex cathe is to speak as from a seat of authority. A cathedral city is the seat of the bishop of the diocese and his throne is placed in the cathedral church. From the early days of the Christian Church the bishop presided in the presbytery or assembly of priests. He was seated on a chair, a little higher than those of the others. The whole meeting of priests was called cathedra; and at a later period, when Christians were allowed to build churches, this name was applied to the episcopal churches. Besides the cathedral churches we find those distinguished as collegiate, conventual, parochial and abbey, according to the classification of the Roman Catholic Church. The governing body of an English cathedral is called the dean and chapter. The cathedral is commonly, though not invariably, the most important church build ing, architecturally speaking, in the diocese. Its usual form is the Latin cross. From the com paratively simple outline of the early Christian basilica has been evolved the complex cathedral structure of the Middle Ages. In its outline a typical cathedral exhibits nave, extending east and west, transepts, north and south, choir, retro-choir, and, sometimes, lady chapel. A tower rises where the transepts cross the nave. Two towers usually flank the western front, which contains a large rose window. But it must be borne in mind that in size and archi tectural style the cathedral is not necessarily superior to the other churches of a diocese. The dimensions of some of the abbey and parish churches are greater than those of some cathe drals. French cathedrals are distinguished by their great height, chevets, or apsidal east ends with a corona of chapels, elaborate and logical vaulting system, and, in the later Gothic styles, by extremely profuse adornment. The portals of French churches are generally lofty and imposing and richly sculptured. English cathe drals are much longer and lower than French ones. Their east ends are usually square and their portals small, and, in some examples, as at Wells, even insignificant.
Early Roman and Italian The earliest churches that we know were of the time of Constantine. They were of the form known as the basilica, consisting of three aisles (or, rarely, five) separated by columns. The middle aisle, which is the nave, was higher and broader than the others and always ended in a round apse, which bowed outward from the wall at the rear of the church. This type
was much used in Italy. The church of Saint John Lateran in Rome is also called the "Ba silica of the Saviour.* Over its chief portal is the inscription "Omnium urbis et orbis ec clesiarum matey et caput (mother and head of all the churches of Rome and the world). Saint John Lateran is the cathedral of the diocese of Rome. The Pope as Bishop of Rome performed episcopal functions there until 1870, since when a deputy has officiated in his stead. Valentincalls it this venerable temple, the first that was raised to the true God of the Christians.' It was built in the 4th century, but the interior has been entirely remodeled, and unfortunately by Borromini (q.v.). The facade is still later, for it was designed by Galilei in 1734; but this, with the effective deep shadows produced by the double porch gallery, deserves praise.
The great church of Saint Peter's at Rome is surpassed by no cathedral in splendor of design and equaled by none in magnitude. It marks the culmination of Renaissance church architecture. Its interior is 619 feet in length and 449 in width (along the transepts). The diameter of the cupola is 141 feet ; the height from the ground to the top of the cross meas ures 470 feet. Saint Peter's is the largest church in the world. About the middle of the 15th century plans were discussed for a new building to replace the ancient structure that occupied the same site. The foundation stone was laid 18 April 1506, for a building according to the designs by Bramante, an Umbrian, who, through his plans for the basilica of Saint Peter and the Vatican palace, became the most famous of Italian architects. Bramante's in fluence was greater than that of any of his predecessors. Subsequently assigned to the work were Raphael, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Maderna and Bernint — the last mentioned designed the colonnades. The completed church was consecrated by Urban VIII on 18 Nov. 1626. Thus 120 years passed between the first planning and the dedication of the building, that period covering the reign of 20 popes; and, besides the seven architects mentioned, eight others succeeded one another in the construction of the edifice. The effect of the church itself, marred by Maderna's facade in the first part of the 17th century, is wonderfully enhanced by Bernini's colonnade, added about the middle of the same century. The dome is its most striking feature.