The Evolution of Church Altars from the Early Days

At the heart of every Christian church stands the altar —a place of sacrifice, communion, and divine encounter. From the humble tables of first-century house churches to the grand altarpieces of Gothic cathedrals, the evolution of church altars tells the story of how Christian worship has changed and matured over two millennia.

More than just liturgical furniture, the altar reflects the Church’s theological beliefs, cultural contexts, and architectural innovations. Its transformation from a simple meal table to a richly adorned focal point of worship mirrors the Church’s growth from a persecuted sect to a global faith. This blog explores the history and development of church altars, tracing how their form and function evolved from the early Christian era to the medieval period and beyond.

1. The Origins: The Table in the House Church

The earliest Christian communities gathered not in basilicas or sanctuaries but in private homes . These house churches —often hosted by wealthier members of the community—were intimate, domestic settings where Christians prayed, sang hymns, read Scripture, and celebrated the Eucharist , or the Lord’s Supper.

In this context, the altar was likely nothing more than a simple wooden or stone table . It may have served multiple purposes during the week—perhaps used for dining or meeting—but during the Sunday gathering, it became the place where bread and wine were offered, blessed, and shared.

This simplicity had deep theological resonance:

• The Last Supper took place at a table in an upper room.

• The Eucharist was part of a larger meal (agape feast), emphasizing fellowship and equality.

• The altar symbolized both the table of fellowship and the sacrificial offering of Christ.

There was no need for elaborate altars because the focus was on the community gathered around the risen Lord , not on architectural grandeur.

2. Post-Persecution: Formal Worship and Dedicated Spaces

With the Edict of Milan in AD 313, Christianity was legalized under Emperor Constantine. This ushered in a dramatic shift: churches could now be built publicly, and Christian worship moved out of homes and into dedicated architectural spaces .

The Basilica Model

Early Christian architects adopted the Roman basilica —a public assembly hall—as the model for church buildings. These structures included a large nave, side aisles, and an apse at one end.

In the apse stood a new kind of altar:

• Usually a freestanding stone table , often made of marble.

• Positioned so the priest faced the congregation or faced east (ad orientem).

• Accompanied by a bishop’s chair (cathedra) behind it and seating for clergy along the curved apse wall.

This marked a transition from the informal table to a permanent, sacred altar , set apart for worship and sacrifice. The altar became the central focus of the liturgy—both physically and theologically.

3. Altar as Sacred Space: Theology and Function

As the Church developed liturgically and doctrinally, the altar gained theological weight .

Key symbolic meanings included:

• Christ Himself : The altar was often described as representing Jesus , both the victim and the priest .

• The Table of the Lord : A place of spiritual nourishment and unity.

• The Throne of God : Especially when adorned and elevated, the altar suggested divine presence and kingship.

• The Tomb of Martyrs : Many early altars were built over or near the graves of martyrs , linking the Eucharist to their witness and sacrifice.

Because of this growing sacredness, altars began to be:

• Consecrated with holy oil (chrism).

• Incorporated with relics of saints or martyrs.

• Oriented toward the east, symbolizing Christ’s resurrection and return.

4. The Medieval Altar: Elevation, Splendor, and Separation

During the medieval period (roughly 5th to 15th centuries), the Christian altar underwent dramatic transformations, reflecting the changing theology, ritual, and aesthetics of the Church.

Key developments:

a) Elevation and Distance

Altars were now placed on raised platforms (sanctuaries) , sometimes separated from the congregation by rood screens or choir stalls . This created a sense of mystery and reverence , but also introduced distance between clergy and laity.

b) Altar Rails and Steps

Access to the altar became more restricted, symbolizing its holiness and danger . Only clergy were permitted to approach during the liturgy. The altar became a symbolic Mount Sinai , where God met humanity through priestly mediation.

c) Rich Ornamentation

Altars were adorned with:

• Altarpieces (retables): Paintings or carvings illustrating biblical scenes or saints.

• Frontals : Decorated cloth coverings, often embroidered with Christian symbols.

• Candles and crosses : Placed on or behind the altar.

• Tabernacles : By the later Middle Ages, small locked boxes were placed near or on the altar to reserve the consecrated Eucharist .

These additions emphasized the sacrificial and royal aspects of the altar. Worship became more ritualized and clerical , reflecting the hierarchical structure of medieval Christendom.

5. Altar Placement and Orientation

The placement of the altar has deep theological implications.

Facing East

From early times, Christians oriented their prayers toward the east , symbolizing:

• The rising sun (resurrection).

• The anticipated return of Christ (Matthew 24:27).

Thus, altars were typically placed at the east end of the church , and clergy celebrated the Eucharist facing the same direction as the people (ad orientem).

Versus Populum (Facing the People)

In some regions and later periods, especially during reforms, priests faced the congregation (versus populum) during the Eucharist. This re-emphasized the communal meal aspect of the Eucharist, rather than the sacrificial offering alone.

The tension between orientation and accessibility continues to shape Christian liturgical practices to this day.

6. Eastern and Western Divergences

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the altar also evolved, but along slightly different lines:

Eastern Christian Altars:

• Typically cubical in shape and draped in ornate cloths.

• Located in the sanctuary behind the iconostasis , a screen covered in icons.

• Represented as the throne of God and the place of divine mystery .

• Accessed only by ordained clergy , reinforcing the mystical nature of the liturgy.

Despite these differences, both East and West continued to view the altar as the liturgical and spiritual center of the church.

7. The Reformation and the Reimagining of Altars

The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century brought significant changes to altar design and theology.

Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized:

• The Word of God over sacramental ritual.

• The table of fellowship rather than the altar of sacrifice.

In many Protestant churches:

• Altars were replaced or reimagined as communion tables .

• Decorative elements were removed to avoid idolatry .

• The table was often placed closer to the congregation , restoring the sense of shared meal and community.

This shift reflected a return to simplicity , reminiscent of the early Church—but also a reaction against what reformers saw as excessive clericalism and superstition.

8. The Catholic Counter-Reformation

In response, the Catholic Church , through the Council of Trent (1545–1563) , reaffirmed the sacrificial theology of the Mass and the sanctity of the altar.

Churches built or renovated in the Baroque era featured:

• Highly ornate altars with gold leaf, statues, and dramatic backdrops.

• Clear emphasis on transcendence, glory, and awe .

• Reassertion of the altar as the meeting place of heaven and earth .

The altar thus became not only a focal point of theology but a canvas of Catholic artistic and liturgical renewal .

9. Modern Movements and Liturgical Renewal

In the 20th century, especially after the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) , there was a renewed effort across denominations to recover early Christian insights into worship and the altar.

Vatican II encouraged:

• Placing altars closer to the people .

• Celebrating Mass facing the congregation .

• Using simpler materials and designs that highlight the table’s communal function.

Many churches now balance historical reverence with liturgical accessibility , seeking to honor both the altar’s mystery and its invitation.

Conclusion: The Altar as Living Tradition

From modest meal tables to magnificent marble structures, the Christian altar has journeyed through history as a powerful symbol of faith, sacrifice, and communion . Its evolution tells the story of a Church that has grown, adapted, and deepened in its understanding of worship.

Whether carved from stone or fashioned from wood, whether adorned with candles or covered with simple cloth, the altar remains the place where heaven meets earth—where bread and wine become body and blood, and where believers gather to remember, rejoice, and receive.

In every form it has taken, the altar speaks a timeless truth: that God desires to dwell with His people, to feed them, and to make them holy. And so, the altar remains the heart of the Church , pulsing with sacred meaning across the ages.