American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

ALTAR RAIL

Altar Rail: translation

The railing enclosing the Sanctuary in which the Altar stands, and at which the communicants kneel in receiving the Holy Communion, is called, in the Institution Office theAltar Rail. Supposed to have been first introduced by Archbishop Laud as a protection of the Altar against the lawlessness and irreverence of the Puritans.

  1. altar rail—Altar Rail translation Altar Rail The railing which guards the sanctuary and separates the latter from the body of the church. Also called the communionrail dd Catholic ...Catholic encyclopedia