Historic Churches > Dictionary

Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Porch Definition

History and Architecture

Porch

A projecting entry to a church, usually located at the south west end of the nave and thus commonly called a south porch. Early churches, particularly Saxon churches, did not have porches, and people entred directly into the nave. Porches became common in the Norman period, and could be extremely ornate and highly decorative, some rising several stories high. Larger porches might have a small chamber above the entrance, used by the priest. Most porches are built of stone, though some medieval examples of timber porches still stand.

Related: Nave  

Attraction search
in



National Trust

National Trust membership

National Trust membership

Free entry to National Trust properties throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, plus discounted admission to National Trust for Scotand properties.

Membership details

About the National Trust


HISTORY CORNER

Name the Historic attraction

Name the mystery historic attraction
See larger image



British History Quiz

This monastery on the banks of the River Tyne was the home of scholar and author The Venerable Bede



This Day in British History

31 March, 1854

Britain declares war on Russia

British troops had already left Britain for the Crimea

Monarch Mayhem

This king erected memorials to mark places where his beloved wife's body rested on her final journey to burial in London



Passionate about British Heritage!