Sanctuary vs. Church — What's the Difference?

A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred place, such as a shrine. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety.

A building for public, especially Christian worship.

A sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque.

The company of all Christians regarded as a spiritual body.

The holiest part of a sacred place, as the part of a Christian church around the altar.

A specified Christian denomination

A sacred place, such as a church, in which fugitives formerly were immune to arrest.

A congregation.

Immunity to arrest afforded by a sanctuary

Public divine worship in a church; a religious service

The condition of being protected or comforted

The clerical profession; clergy.

A place of refuge or asylum.

Ecclesiastical power as distinguished from the secular

A reserved area in which birds and other animals, especially wild animals, are protected from hunting or disturbance.

To conduct a church service for, especially to perform a religious service for (a woman after childbirth).

A place of safety, refuge, or protection.

Of or relating to the church; ecclesiastical.

An area set aside for protection.

(countable) A Christian house of worship; a building where Christian religious services take place.

A state of being protected, asylum.

Christians collectively seen as a single spiritual community; Christianity; Christendom.

The consecrated (or sacred) area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.

(countable) A local group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs, local or general.

A sacred place; a consecrated spot; a holy and inviolable site.

(countable) A particular denomination of Christianity.

A consecrated place where sacred objects are kept

Christian worship held at a church; service.

A shelter from danger or hardship

Organized religion in general or a specific religion considered as a political institution.

Area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

Any religious group.

Assembly.

To conduct a religious service for (a woman after childbirth, or a newly married couple).

(transitive) To educate someone religiously, as in in a church.

(slang) Expressing strong agreement.

A building set apart for Christian worship.

A Jewish or heathen temple.

A formally organized body of Christian believers worshiping together.

A body of Christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a denomination; as, the Roman Catholic church; the Presbyterian church.

The collective body of Christians.

Any body of worshipers; as, the Jewish church; the church of Brahm.

The aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, etc.; as, to array the power of the church against some moral evil.

To bless according to a prescribed form, or to unite with in publicly returning thanks in church, as after deliverance from the dangers of childbirth; as, the churching of women.

One of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

A place for public (especially Christian) worship;

A service conducted in a church;

The body of people who attend or belong to a particular local church;

Perform a special church rite or service for;