Chapels & Churches

[OmanYorkie]

When does a chapel become a church. In our village we had a Methodist chapel, but on relocating due to downsizing, the new facility is now referred to as a 'church'

[Octavius]

The nature of a place of worship depends not on the building, but upon how it is established by Church authority. When a place of worship is established, it is designated as a church, an oratory, a private chapel, or a shrine. Depending on that there are certain things that can be done there and certain people who can worship there by virtue of that designation.

The law itself establishes that churches enjoy the right to have the sacraments and other acts of worship celebrated in them, as well as the right to the Eucharist. All Catholics have free access to the services and ministrations of the spiritual goods of the Church.

Oratories have similar rights, but access is limited for the benefit of some community, such as a religious community. Still, other members of the faith may also have access to it with consent. This is why you might be able, for example, to attend Mass in a monastery, even though its oratory was designated for the use of the monks or nuns. A competent authority can also place limits on what can be celebrated there (e.g., no weddings).

A private chapel is a place designated for worship for the advantage of one or several individuals (rather than for a community or assembly defined in law, such as a religious community). Though, the permission of the local ordinary is required for the celebration of Mass, reservation of the Eucharist, and other sacred celebrations.

The older common usage was often to refer to what is an oratory as a "public chapel," meaning that all had access to it. So some places called "chapels" would be properly called "oratories".

There are also "shrines," which are church or other sacred place to which people make pilgrimages for a particular pious reason with the approval of the local ordinary.

[OmanYorkie]

Octavius, many thanx for the detailed response, I think I understand it!!
The earlier chapel I originally referred to was indeed a large building available to the Methodist community, not a private chapel.
Next time I see the Methodist minister I will seek his view