Thealtar rail (also known as acommunion rail orchancel rail) is a low barrier, sometimes ornate and usually made of stone, wood or metal in some combination, delimiting thechancel or thesanctuary and altar in a church,[1][2] from thenave and other parts that contain the congregation. Often, a central gate or gap divides the line into two parts. Chancel rails are a very common, but not universal, feature ofRoman Catholic,Lutheran,Anglican, andMethodist churches. They are usually about 2 feet 6 inches (76 cm) high, with a padded step at the bottom, and designed so that the wider top of the rail can support the forearms or elbows of a kneeling person.
The altar rail is a modest substitute for earlier barriers demarcating thechancel, the area containing the altar, which was reserved, with greatly varying degrees of strictness, for officiating clergy, including boys as choristers and altar servers. Although it only emerged after theProtestant Reformation, it has been found convenient by both Roman Catholic and more traditional Protestant churches, such as the Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist churches. After theSecond Vatican Council, a number of Roman Catholic churches removed their chancel rails, which fell into disuse; on the other hand, Lutheran churches continue to retain many features of medieval church architecture and normatively have chancel rails at which communicants receive theEucharist.[3]
For those chancels without an altar rail, in some cases a portable rail with attachedkneeler is used for those who wish to kneel to receive the Eucharist.
Barriers of various kinds often mark off as especially sacred the area of a church close to the altar—thechancel—which is largely reserved for ordained clergy. TheTemple in Jerusalem contained a barrier of this kind, which separated the Courtyard of the Israelites from the Courtyard of the Priests.[4] Thetemplon was typical for the Late Antique period. In theArmenian Apostolic Church, curtains are still drawn to cut off that area during the holiest moments of the liturgy. InEastern Orthodox and related rites, this evolved into a solid,icon-clad screen, called theiconostasis, that has three doorways which usually have doors and curtains that can be closed or drawn aside at various times.[5]
Barriers demarcating the chancel, such as therood screen, became increasing elaborate. They were largely swept away after both theProtestant Reformation and then theCounter-Reformation prioritized the congregation having a good view of what was happening in the chancel. Now the low communion rail is generally the only barrier. Despite being essentially aCounter-Reformation invention, this has proved useful and accepted in the Protestant churches that dispense communion. The screen enjoyed a small revival in the 19th century, after the passionate urgings ofAugustus Pugin, who wroteA Treatise on Chancel Screens and Rood Lofts,[6] and others. There were medieval structures like communion rails, but the various types of screen were much more common. A church inHasle, Bornholm claims to have "a rare 15th-century altar rail";[7] perhaps, like other examples, this is in fact a sawn-off medieval screen.
The origin of the modern form has been described by one historian as "nebulous",[8] but it probably emerged from Italy in the 16th century. The German Lutherans and theChurch of England were not far behind in adopting it, perhaps without being aware of the Italian versions. In England the rail became one of the focuses of tussles between theHigh Church andLow Church factions, and in many churches they were added, removed and re-added at different times.Archbishop Laud was a strong supporter of rails, but the common story that he introduced them to England is incorrect; he was trying to preventPuritan clergy from continuing to remove them, and his pressure in favour of rails was bound up with his very controversial "altar policy", reasserting the placement of the altar in its medieval position.[9]Matthew Wren, LaudianBishop of Ely, was imprisoned during the whole of theEnglish Commonwealth. Wren defended himself against charges of enforcing altar rails, which he pointed out had been found in many English churches "time out of mind".[10] In both Catholic churches and Anglican ones following Laudian instructions, the congregation was now asked to come up to the rails and receive communion kneeling at them, replacing a variety of earlier habits. This too was controversial in England, and the Laudian party did not push too hard for this in many dioceses.[11]
In many of the parishes of theLutheran Churches, the use of altar rails have remained more common.[3] There is typically no specific regulation concerning their presence or use, although they remain a common feature even in newly constructed churches. Their continued popularity results from a preference on the part of many to assume a posture of kneeling to receive theEucharist.[12]
Chancel rails are found in a number ofMethodist churches and in addition to Holy Communion, they are used for worshippers to seek the New Birth and Entire Sanctifiction.[13]
Newly constructed Catholic churches rarely have altar rails, which were once common in parish churches, those of the late nineteenth century being particularly decorative. Communicants knelt at the railings to receive theEucharist by a priest. After theSecond Vatican Council, many parishes removed their altar rails, and an unfounded idea arose that the council or theHoly See had ordered the change.[14]
Some Catholics and many architects and planners criticised some removals, often on liturgical, historical and aesthetic grounds. While in some states, the Roman Catholic Church has adopted a minimalist approach towards the removal of altar rails; in other countries, for example inIreland, almost every re-ordering eliminated altar rails. Many Catholics resisted the changes: some took legal action to try to prevent the removal of altar rails and of other traditional features in pre-Vatican II sanctuaries.[15][16]
Not all Catholics supported the changes to sanctuaries. Some disputed the belief that the altar rails were a barrier, claiming that many churches were able to allow full participation by the laity in theOrdinary form without removing altar rails. In recent times, a number of restorations of historic churches have re-introduced altar rails, since the idea that Vatican II required their removal is a misconception.[15][16]
TheGeneral Instruction of the Roman Missal states that the sanctuary "should be appropriately marked off from the body of the church either by its being somewhat elevated or by a particular structure and ornamentation".[17]
Within Lutheranism, the altar rail is the common place for a pastor to hear aconfession,[18] confession being generally required to receive the Eucharist for thefirst time.[19]
In many Methodist churches, communicants receive holy communion at the chancel rails, devoutly kneeling.[20] Therite ofconfirmation,[21] as well as the imposition of ashes onAsh Wednesday takes place at the chancel rail in many Methodist parishes.[22] The chancel rail also serves as the place where many individuals go, during the part of the Methodist liturgy called theAltar Call orAn Invitation to Christian Discipleship, to experience theNew Birth.[23]
Some people who have already had the New Birth go to the chancel rails to receiveentire sanctification.[23] Others go there repent of their sins, as well aspray.[20] During this time, a Methodist minister attends to each person at the chancel rail, offering spiritual counsel.[24]
Also, there is usually a rail around, or within, the chancel where persons can kneel for prayer, commitment to Christ, or Holy Communion. This rail can be called the Communion rail or the altar rail.
Lutheran churches often preserved medieval church furnishings such as altars, pulpits, and communion rails, maintaining a sense of liturgical continuity that was disrupted in many Roman Catholic churches following the Second Vatican Council.
Candidates and parent(s)/sponsor(s) come as name is called and stand at the altar rail.
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