7. The aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, etc.; as, to array the power of the church against some moral evil.
Remember that both church and state are properly the rulers of the people, only because they are their benefactors.
Bulwer.
&fist; Church is often used in composition to denote something belonging or relating to the church; as, church authority; church history; church member; church music, etc.
Apostolic church. See under Apostolic. -- Broad church. See Broad Church. -- Catholic or Universal church, the whole body of believers in Christ throughout the world. -- Church of England, or English church, the Episcopal church established and endowed in England by law. -- Church living, a benefice in an established church. - - Church militant. See under Militant. -- Church owl (Zo÷l.), the white owl. See Barn owl. -- Church rate, a tax levied on parishioners for the maintenance of the church and its services. -- Church session. See under Session. -- Church triumphant. See under Triumphant. -- Church work, work on, or in behalf of, a church; the work of a particular church for the spread of religion. -- Established church, the church maintained by the civil authority; a state church.
Church, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Churched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Churching.] 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.
Church"-ale` (?), n. A church or parish festival (as in commemoration of the dedication of a church), at which much ale was used. Wright. Nares.
Church"-bench` (?), n. A seat in the porch of a church. Shak.
Church"dom (?), n. The institution, government, or authority of a church. [R.] Bp. Pearson.
Church"go`er (?), n. One who attends church.
Church"go`ing, a. 1. Habitually attending church.