Editing Chapel (section)

==History==
[[File:Crviz 2015 jun pic 25.JPG|thumb|The [[Tsrviz Chapel]] in [[Armenia]], one of the oldest chapels in the world]]
The earliest Christian places of worship were not dedicated buildings but rather a dedicated [[Room|chamber]] within a building, such as a room in an individual's home. Here, one or two people could pray without being part of a communion or congregation. People who like to use chapels may find it peaceful and relaxing to be away from the stress of life, without other people moving around them.

[[File:Chapelle Palatine.jpg|thumb|The [[Cappella Palatina]] in [[Palermo]], Italy (pictured), and the [[Palatine Chapel in Aachen]], two of the most famous palace chapels of Europe]]
The word ''chapel'', like the associated word ''chaplain'', is ultimately derived from [[Latin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chapel|title=Definition of Chapel |website=www.merriam-webster.com|access-date=31 December 2018|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101002843/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chapel|url-status=live}}</ref> More specifically, the word is derived from a [[relic]] of [[Martin of Tours|Saint Martin of Tours]]: traditional stories about Martin relate that while he was still a soldier, he cut his military cloak in half to give part to a beggar in need. The other half he wore over his shoulders as a "small cape" ({{langx|la|cappella}}). The beggar, the stories claim, was Christ in disguise, and Martin experienced a conversion of heart, becoming first a monk, then abbot, then bishop. This cape came into the possession of the [[Franks|Frankish]] kings, and they kept the relic with them as they did battle. The tent which kept the cape was called the ''capella'' and the priests who said daily [[mass (liturgy)|Mass]] in the tent were known as the ''capellani''. From these words, via [[Old French]], we get the names "chapel" and "chaplain".

The word also appears in the [[Irish language]] (Gaelic) in the [[Middle Ages]], as Welsh people came with the [[Normans|Norman]] and [[Old English (Ireland)|Old English]] invaders to the island of Ireland. While the traditional Irish word for church was {{lang|ga|eaglais}} (derived from ''[[wikt:ecclesia|ecclesia]]''), a new word, ''séipéal'' (from ''cappella''), came into usage.

In British history, "chapel" or "[[meeting house]]" were formerly the standard designations for church buildings belonging to independent or [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|Nonconformist]] religious societies and their members.<ref>[[OED]] "Chapel", 4</ref> They were particularly associated with the pre-eminence of independent religious practice in rural parts of England and Wales, the northern industrial towns of the late 18th and 19th centuries, and centres of population close to but outside the [[City of London]]. As a result, "chapel" is sometimes used as an adjective in England and Wales to describe members of such churches: for example in the sentence, "I'm Chapel."<ref>[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Extended_Family/7Oc2DAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT82 ''The Extended Family: Why are There So Many Different Churches?''], Start of Chapter 4, Michael John Hooton, 2016, Wipf and Stock Publisher, ISBN 9781498280860</ref>

===Types of chapel===

*A [[bridge chapel]] is a small place of Christian worship, built either on, or immediately adjacent to, a road bridge; they were commonly established during pre-Reformation mediaeval era in Europe.
*A [[castle chapel]], in European architecture, is a chapel built within a castle.
*A [[parecclesion]] or parakklesion is a type of side chapel found in Byzantine architecture.
*A [[capilla abierta]] (open chapel) is one of the most distinct Mexican church construction forms, mostly built in the 16th century during the early colonial period.
*A [[proprietary chapel]] is one that originally belonged to a private individual. In the 19th century they were common, often being built to cope with urbanisation. Frequently they were established by evangelical philanthropists with a vision of spreading Christianity in cities whose needs could no longer be met by the parishes. Some functioned more privately, with a wealthy person building a chapel so that they could invite their favorite preachers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.churchsociety.org/aboutus/managed/Properties_StJamesChurch.htm |title=Church Society - About - Our Work - St James' Church |access-date=2008-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509160507/http://www.churchsociety.org/aboutus/managed/Properties_StJamesChurch.htm |archive-date=9 May 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> They are anomalies in the English ecclesiastical law, having no parish area, but being permitted to have an Anglican clergyman licensed there. Historically many Anglican churches were proprietary chapels. Over the years they have often been converted into normal parishes.
*A [[court chapel]] is a chapel as a musical ensemble associated with a royal or noble court. Most of these are royal (court) chapels, but when the ruler of the court is not a king, the more generic "court chapel" is used, for instance for an imperial court.
* A [[royal chapel]] is a chapel associated with a [[monarch]], a [[royal court]], or in a [[royal palace]].