Church vs. Cathedral — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
A "church" is a general term for a building used for religious worship, often Christian. A "cathedral" is a specific type of church that serves as the principal church in a diocese and contains the bishop's throne.
Difference Between Church and Cathedral
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A "church" is a broad term referring to a building designed for gatherings of religious or spiritual practices, often Christian. The word "cathedral," while also referring to a church, has a more specialized meaning: it is the principal church in a diocese where the bishop's seat, or "cathedra," is located.
When people say "church," they could be referring to any place of Christian worship, ranging from a small country chapel to a larger urban church. A "cathedral," on the other hand, serves not only as a place for congregational worship but also as a diocesan administrative center. In addition to regular religious services, it hosts special ceremonies and activities led by the bishop.
From a grammatical standpoint, "church" can function as both a noun and a verb, as in "to go to church" or "churching" someone. "Cathedral," however, is exclusively a noun. While "churches" is the plural form of "church," "cathedrals" serves as the plural for "cathedral."
Aesthetically, "churches" can vary widely in architecture, size, and style, depending on factors like denomination and location. "Cathedrals," by contrast, are often larger and grander, reflecting their status as the primary church in a diocese. These buildings frequently feature intricate designs, ornate decorations, and historical significance.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Building for religious worship
Principal church in a diocese
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Usage
General
Specific
Grammatical Role
Noun, Verb
Noun
Size and Scale
Varies
Often larger and grander
Function
Worship, community events
Worship, diocesan center
Compare with Definitions
Church
A building for public Christian worship.
The church down the street has services every Sunday.
Cathedral
An architectural masterpiece often featuring intricate design.
The cathedral's stained-glass windows are remarkable.
Church
A congregation of Christian believers.
The church volunteers for community service.
Cathedral
A large, often ornate, church.
The cathedral features stunning Gothic architecture.
Church
A religious denomination or sect.
The Anglican Church has many adherents.
Cathedral
A building serving as the central church of a bishopric.
The cathedral houses the administrative offices for the diocese.
Church
A place for religious activities in general.
This building serves as a church for multiple faiths.
Cathedral
The primary church in a diocese containing the bishop's throne.
The cathedral in the city is a historic landmark.
Church
A building for public, especially Christian worship.
Cathedral
A cathedral is a church that contains the cathedra (Latin for 'seat') of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denominations with an episcopal hierarchy, such as the Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and some Lutheran churches.
Church
The company of all Christians regarded as a spiritual body.
Cathedral
The principal church of a bishop's diocese, containing the episcopal throne.
Church
A specified Christian denomination
The Presbyterian Church.
Cathedral
A large, important church.
Church
A congregation.
Cathedral
Something that resembles a cathedral, as in grandeur or authority.
Church
Public divine worship in a church; a religious service
Goes to church at Christmas and Easter.
Cathedral
Of, relating to, or containing a bishop's throne
A cathedral church.
Church
The clerical profession; clergy.
Cathedral
Relating to or issuing from a chair of office or authority; authoritative.
Church
Ecclesiastical power as distinguished from the secular
The separation of church and state.
Cathedral
Of, relating to, or resembling a cathedral
Tall trees whose branches met to form cathedral arches over the path.
Church
To conduct a church service for, especially to perform a religious service for (a woman after childbirth).
Cathedral
Relating to the throne or the see of a bishop.
Church
Of or relating to the church; ecclesiastical.
Cathedral
The principal church of an archbishop's/bishop's archdiocese/diocese which contains an episcopal throne.
Church
(countable) A Christian house of worship; a building where Christian religious services take place.
There is a lovely little church in the valley.
This building used to be a church before being converted into a library.
Cathedral
(loosely or informally) A large or important church building.
Church
Christians collectively seen as a single spiritual community; Christianity; Christendom.
These worshippers make up the Church of Christ.
Cathedral
(figurative) A large, impressive, lofty, and/or important building or place of some other kind.
Church
(countable) A local group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs, local or general.
Cathedral
A large buttressed structure built by certain termites.
Church
(countable) A particular denomination of Christianity.
The Church of England separated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534.
Cathedral
In certain right-wing conspiracy theories, the mainstream system or establishment of society, held to be liberal or leftist and to be working against the interests of the people or nation, which is both.
Church
Christian worship held at a church; service.
Cathedral
The principal church in a diocese, so called because in it the bishop has his official chair (Cathedra) or throne.
Church
Organized religion in general or a specific religion considered as a political institution.
Many constitutions enshrine the separation of church and state.
Cathedral
Pertaining to the head church of a diocese; as, a cathedral church; cathedral service.
Church
Any religious group.
She goes to a Wiccan church down the road.
Cathedral
Emanating from the chair of office, as of a pope or bishop; official; authoritative.
Now, what solemnity can be more required for the pope to make a cathedral determination of an article!
Church
Assembly.
Cathedral
Resembling the aisles of a cathedral; as, cathedral walks.
Church
To conduct a religious service for (a woman after childbirth, or a newly married couple).
Cathedral
Any large and important church
Church
(transitive) To educate someone religiously, as in in a church.
Cathedral
The principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese
Church
(slang) Expressing strong agreement.
- These burritos are the best!
- Church!
Cathedral
Relating to or containing or issuing from a bishop's office or throne;
A cathedral church
Church
A building set apart for Christian worship.
Cathedral
A Christian church that is also a tourist attraction.
The cathedral draws thousands of visitors annually.
Church
A Jewish or heathen temple.
Church
A formally organized body of Christian believers worshiping together.
Church
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.
Church
The collective body of Christians.
Church
Any body of worshipers; as, the Jewish church; the church of Brahm.
Church
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.
Church
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.
Church
One of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
Church
A place for public (especially Christian) worship;
The church was empty
Church
A service conducted in a church;
Don't be late for church
Church
The body of people who attend or belong to a particular local church;
Our church is hosting a picnic next week
Church
Perform a special church rite or service for;
Church a woman after childbirth
Church
The clergy of a Christian organization.
The church was very supportive of the event.
Common Curiosities
Can a Cathedral be used as a verb?
No, "cathedral" is only a noun.
Can any Church be a Cathedral?
No, only the principal church in a diocese with the bishop's seat can be a cathedral.
What are the services like in a Church?
They can vary by denomination but usually involve worship, preaching, and community activities.
Are Cathedrals always large?
Generally, but not always. They are usually grander due to their significance.
Is "church" specific to Christianity?
Generally, but it can also be used to describe places of worship in other religions.
What is a Church?
A church is a building used for public Christian worship or a community of believers.
What happens in a Cathedral?
Besides regular worship, it serves as a diocesan center and hosts ceremonies led by the bishop.
Can "cathedral" be plural?
Yes, the plural form is "cathedrals."
What is a Cathedral?
A cathedral is the primary church in a diocese, housing the bishop's throne.
Can "church" be plural?
Yes, the plural form is "churches."
Can "church" refer to a congregation?
Yes, it can refer to both a building and a community of believers.
Can a Church be used for other religious activities?
Some are multi-faith but are most commonly Christian.
Is "cathedral" specific to Christianity?
Yes, it refers specifically to a Christian church with a bishop's seat.
Are all Churches historic?
No, but many cathedrals often have historical significance due to their role and age.
Can a Cathedral belong to any Christian denomination?
Yes, as long as it is the principal church in a diocese with the bishop's seat.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
