CHURCH

A building set apart for Christian worship.

A Jewish or heathen temple. [Obs.] Acts xix. 37.

A formally organized body of Christian believers worshiping together. "When they had ordained them elders in every church." Acts xiv. 23.

A body of Christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a denomination; as, the Roman Catholic church; the Presbyterian church.

The collective body of Christians.

Any body of worshipers; as, the Jewish church; the church of Brahm.

The aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, etc.; as, to array the power of the church against some moral evil. Remember that both church and state are properly the rulers of the people, only because they are their benefactors. Bulwer.

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, the churching of women.