Pulpit altar

Church element combining altar and pulpit

A pulpit altar or pulpit-altar is an altar in a church that is built together with a pulpit that is designed as an extension above the altar, so the pulpit, altar, and altarpiece form one unit. This type of altar is typical in a Baroque style church whereas earlier medieval churches and many more modern churches tend to have the more common free-standing pulpit that was set apart from the altar. This design became popular after the Protestant Reformation in Lutheran churches. It was first built to emphasize the importance of the sermon and the preaching of the Word of God in the worship service. It also symbolizes that the Word of God stands together with the sacraments which takes place on the altar below. The first pulpit altars appeared in the German areas of Europe and in the baroque churches of the 1600s and 1700s. Sometimes the organ was placed above the pulpit as well to symbolize that music was also central to the church.

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