Communion Rail

She holds down her head when the parson reads out, “Thou shalt do no murder,” from the communion-rail, and fancies he must be looking at her. ❋ Unknown (2006)

I have, since my return to England, been into a beautiful old parish church in one of the midland counties; the building was in a most deplorable state of dilapidation, and the communion-rail formed a music-stand, while inside were placed an orchestra of two fiddles and a bass-viol. ❋ Henry A. Murray (N/A)

They encroach so much on the space in the narrow chancel that a most curious method for lengthening the communion-rail has been resorted to -- that of bringing forward from the centre a long narrow space enclosed with the rails. ❋ Gordon Home (1923)

It is also called the communion-rail as the faithful kneel at it when receiving Holy Communion. ❋ 1840-1916 (1913)

This altar was erected in the middle of the sanctuary between the bishop's throne, which stood in the apse, and the communion-rail, which separated the sanctuary from the body of the church. ❋ 1840-1916 (1913)

The object of this was that sufficient space might be allowed between the lowest step of the altar and the communion-rail (six to twelve feet) for the proper carrying out of the ceremonial, and for the accommodation of the clergy who frequently assisted in large numbers at the solemn celebration of ❋ 1840-1916 (1913)

Some in their coffins, others on stretchers, they were laid in front of the communion-rail. ❋ George MacDonald (1864)

He took it without a word, sat down on the step before the communion-rail, and began to smooth out the wonderful sleave of dusky gold. ❋ George MacDonald (1864)

She holds down her head when the parson reads out, "Thou shalt do no murder," from the communion-rail, and fancies he must be looking at her. ❋ William Makepeace Thackeray (1837)