Liturgical furniture

Alms bowls $500

Lidded bowls for the monks, and baskets for the food the congregation brings them each morning: the monks may eat only what they're given.

Placement

Portable: bought, not placed

Upkeep

$10 a year

Looks

3 / 10

Offered to

Buddhist traditions

Building fit

doesn't count (it isn't placed in the nave)

Portable: the monks' bowls and the baskets for the food families bring. The offering to the monks and their meal at a Theravada temple's Sunday observance are led from them.

Across the 7 Buddhist traditions: no fit (it has no particular character), 1 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Alms bowls: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Buddhist Churches of America	—
Chinese Buddhist temple	—
Soka Gakkai International-USA	—
Soto Zen center	—
Theravada temple	—	required
Tibetan Buddhist dharma center	—
Vietnamese Buddhist temple	—

Altar $8,000

The table of sacrifice and focal point of the sanctuary.

Footprint

2 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$50 a year

Looks

9 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Traits

serves communion

Required by Catholics, Lutherans, and the Orthodox, and a perfect fit for the first and last. Serves communion: one person at a time per front tile, so a two-metre altar serves two at once.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 20, jars with 24, 10 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Altar: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+0.333
American Baptist Churches USA	+0.333
Anglican Church in North America	+1	required
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1	required
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-0.333
Christian Reformed Church in North America	+0.333
Church of Christ, Scientist	+0.333
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-0.333
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-0.333
Church of the Brethren	-0.333
Church of the Nazarene	-0.333
Churches of Christ	-0.333
Community of Christ	-0.333
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1	required
The Episcopal Church	+1	required
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333	required
Free Methodist Church USA	-0.333
Friends United Meeting	-0.333
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1	required
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-0.333
Jehovah's Witnesses	-0.333
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	+1	required
Mennonite Church USA	-0.333
Moravian Church in America	+0.333
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-0.333
Orthodox Church in America	+1	required
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+0.333
Presbyterian Church in America	+0.333
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	+0.333
Seventh-day Adventist Church	+0.333
Southern Baptist Convention	-0.333
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1	required
Unitarian Universalist Association	-0.333
United Church of Christ	+0.333
The United Methodist Church	+0.333	required
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Ark (aron kodesh) $35,000

The holy ark, set in the wall the congregation faces: carved doors, and before them an embroidered curtain, the parochet, and behind them the Torah scrolls. It is opened for the reading and the people stand. Build it against the front wall.

Footprint

2 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$150 a year

Looks

9 / 10

Offered to

Jewish traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

The heart of a synagogue, required with the bimah and a Torah scroll wherever worship centres on the Torah, with a ner tamid expected above it. Against the front wall: synagogues in America face east by custom, which is expected too.

Across the 5 Jewish traditions: suits 5, jars with 0, 5 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Ark (aron kodesh): fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Chabad-Lubavitch	+0.5	required
Conservative Judaism	+0.5	required
Modern Orthodox Judaism	+0.5	required
Reconstructionist Judaism	+0.5	required
Reform Judaism	+0.5	required

Baptismal font $5,000

A stone basin for baptism by pouring.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$30 a year

Looks

8 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Required by Catholics and Lutherans, traditionally near the entrance. A strong fit for high-church traditions; Baptists and Pentecostals score it down.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 20, jars with 24, 14 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Baptismal font: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+0.333	required
American Baptist Churches USA	+0.333
Anglican Church in North America	+1	required
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1	required
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-0.333
Christian Reformed Church in North America	+0.333	required
Church of Christ, Scientist	+0.333
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-0.333
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-0.333
Church of the Brethren	-0.333
Church of the Nazarene	-0.333
Churches of Christ	-0.333
Community of Christ	-0.333
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1
The Episcopal Church	+1	required
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333	required
Free Methodist Church USA	-0.333	required
Friends United Meeting	-0.333
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-0.333
Jehovah's Witnesses	-0.333
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	+1	required
Mennonite Church USA	-0.333	required
Moravian Church in America	+0.333	required
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-0.333
Orthodox Church in America	+1
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+0.333	required
Presbyterian Church in America	+0.333	required
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	+0.333
Seventh-day Adventist Church	+0.333
Southern Baptist Convention	-0.333
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1
Unitarian Universalist Association	-0.333
United Church of Christ	+0.333	required
The United Methodist Church	+0.333	required
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Baptistry $25,000

A tank for adult baptism by immersion, with plumbing to fill, heat, and drain it.

Footprint

3 × 2 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$600 a year

Looks

6 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Traits

needs a plumbing stack within 12 m

Building fit

doesn't count (no distinct character)

Required by Baptists and Pentecostals. Needs a plumbing stack within 12 m, so plan them together. At $25,000 it's often the most expensive thing in a low-church building.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: no fit (it has no particular character), 20 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Baptistry: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	—	required
African Methodist Episcopal Church	—
American Baptist Churches USA	—	required
Anglican Church in North America	—
Assemblies of God	—	required
Association of Related Churches	—	required
Calvary Chapel	—	required
Catholic Church	—
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	—	required
Christian Reformed Church in North America	—
Church of Christ, Scientist	—
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	—	required
Church of God in Christ	—	required
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	—	required
Church of the Brethren	—	required
Church of the Nazarene	—	required
Churches of Christ	—	required
Community of Christ	—	required
Coptic Orthodox Church	—
The Episcopal Church	—
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	—
Free Methodist Church USA	—
Friends United Meeting	—
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	—
Independent nondenominational church	—	required
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	—	required
Jehovah's Witnesses	—
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	—
Mennonite Church USA	—
Moravian Church in America	—
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	—	required
Orthodox Church in America	—
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	—
Presbyterian Church in America	—
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	—
The Salvation Army	—
Seventh-day Adventist Church	—	required
Southern Baptist Convention	—	required
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	—
Unitarian Universalist Association	—
United Church of Christ	—
The United Methodist Church	—
United Pentecostal Church International	—	required
Vineyard USA	—	required

Bimah $12,000

The raised platform, a step or two up behind a rail, with a sloped table where the scroll is unrolled and read to the congregation. Many synagogues put it before the ark; the Orthodox, in the middle of the room.

Footprint

2 × 2 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$80 a year

Looks

7 / 10

Offered to

Jewish traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

Required in every synagogue, with the ark and a Torah scroll. It marks the front of the room for sightlines.

Across the 5 Jewish traditions: suits 5, jars with 0, 5 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Bimah: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Chabad-Lubavitch	+0.5	required
Conservative Judaism	+0.5	required
Modern Orthodox Judaism	+0.5	required
Reconstructionist Judaism	+0.5	required
Reform Judaism	+0.5	required

Bishop's chair $6,500

A cathedra: the tall carved oak chair of a bishop, set in the sanctuary for visitations.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$40 a year

Looks

9 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 20, jars with 24. Fit with every tradition

×

Bishop's chair: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+0.333
American Baptist Churches USA	+0.333
Anglican Church in North America	+1
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-0.333
Christian Reformed Church in North America	+0.333
Church of Christ, Scientist	+0.333
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-0.333
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-0.333
Church of the Brethren	-0.333
Church of the Nazarene	-0.333
Churches of Christ	-0.333
Community of Christ	-0.333
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1
The Episcopal Church	+1
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333
Free Methodist Church USA	-0.333
Friends United Meeting	-0.333
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-0.333
Jehovah's Witnesses	-0.333
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	+1
Mennonite Church USA	-0.333
Moravian Church in America	+0.333
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-0.333
Orthodox Church in America	+1
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+0.333
Presbyterian Church in America	+0.333
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	+0.333
Seventh-day Adventist Church	+0.333
Southern Baptist Convention	-0.333
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1
Unitarian Universalist Association	-0.333
United Church of Christ	+0.333
The United Methodist Church	+0.333
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Brass eagle lectern $9,000

The Bible borne on the spread wings of a brass eagle, the Word carried to the ends of the earth. Serves as a lectern.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$25 a year

Looks

9 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Traits

counts as lectern

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 20, jars with 24. Fit with every tradition

×

Brass eagle lectern: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+0.333
American Baptist Churches USA	+0.333
Anglican Church in North America	+1
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-0.333
Christian Reformed Church in North America	+0.333
Church of Christ, Scientist	+0.333
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-0.333
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-0.333
Church of the Brethren	-0.333
Church of the Nazarene	-0.333
Churches of Christ	-0.333
Community of Christ	-0.333
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1
The Episcopal Church	+1
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333
Free Methodist Church USA	-0.333
Friends United Meeting	-0.333
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-0.333
Jehovah's Witnesses	-0.333
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	+1
Mennonite Church USA	-0.333
Moravian Church in America	+0.333
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-0.333
Orthodox Church in America	+1
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+0.333
Presbyterian Church in America	+0.333
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	+0.333
Seventh-day Adventist Church	+0.333
Southern Baptist Convention	-0.333
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1
Unitarian Universalist Association	-0.333
United Church of Christ	+0.333
The United Methodist Church	+0.333
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Buddha image $12,000

The Buddha seated on a lotus, hands together in his lap in meditation, gilded: the heart of the shrine, where people bow and leave flowers, fruit, and light.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$50 a year

Looks

9 / 10

Offered to

Buddhist traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden) or by its character; otherwise left out

Required in a Zen, Theravada, Tibetan, or Vietnamese temple, and it marks the front of the room. An incense burner is expected before it.

Across the 7 Buddhist traditions: suits 4, jars with 1, neutral to 2, 4 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Buddha image: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Buddhist Churches of America	—
Chinese Buddhist temple	—
Soka Gakkai International-USA	-1
Soto Zen center	+0.5	required
Theravada temple	+0.5	required
Tibetan Buddhist dharma center	+0.5	required
Vietnamese Buddhist temple	+0.5	required

Butsudan with the Gohonzon $3,000

A black cabinet whose doors open on the Gohonzon, the scroll inscribed with the title of the Lotus Sutra, before which the congregation chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Evergreens, a bell, candles, and incense stand before it.

Footprint

2 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$30 a year

Looks

7 / 10

Offered to

Buddhist traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

Required in a Soka Gakkai center, the one thing its worship needs: SGI keeps no Buddha images and no clergy.

Across the 7 Buddhist traditions: suits 1, jars with 0, neutral to 6, 1 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Butsudan with the Gohonzon: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Buddhist Churches of America	—
Chinese Buddhist temple	—
Soka Gakkai International-USA	+0.5	required
Soto Zen center	—
Theravada temple	—
Tibetan Buddhist dharma center	—
Vietnamese Buddhist temple	—

Columbarium niches $18,000

A wall of niches for cremated remains.

Placement

On a wall, 2 m wide

Upkeep

$100 a year

Looks

7 / 10

A handsome wall of niches, and needed for a columbarium room. A fit bonus in high-church traditions and a penalty in low-church ones.

Across the 80 traditions: suits 45, jars with 35. Fit with every tradition

×

Columbarium niches: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+0.333
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community	+1
American Baptist Churches USA	+0.333
Anglican Church in North America	+1
Arya Samaj	-0.333
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha	+0.333
Buddhist Churches of America	+0.333
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1
Chabad-Lubavitch	-0.333
Chinese Buddhist temple	+1
Chinese folk temple	+0.333
Chinmaya Mission	-0.333
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-0.333
Christian Reformed Church in North America	+0.333
Church of Christ, Scientist	+0.333
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-0.333
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-0.333
Church of the Brethren	-0.333
Church of the Nazarene	-0.333
Churches of Christ	-0.333
Community of Christ	-0.333
Community of Imam W. Deen Mohammed	-0.333
Conservative Judaism	+1
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1
Daoist temple	-0.333
The Episcopal Church	+1
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333
Free Methodist Church USA	-0.333
Friends United Meeting	-0.333
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1
Gurdwara	+0.333
Hindu temple	+1
Independent nondenominational church	-1
Indo-Caribbean mandir	-0.333
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-0.333
International Society for Krishna Consciousness	+0.333
International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation	+0.333
Jain center	+0.333
Jain Vishva Bharati	-0.333
Jehovah's Witnesses	-0.333
Konko Churches of North America	+0.333
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	+1
Mennonite Church USA	-0.333
Modern Orthodox Judaism	+1
Moravian Church in America	+0.333
The Nation of Islam	+0.333
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-0.333
Orthodox Church in America	+1
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+0.333
Presbyterian Church in America	+0.333
Reconstructionist Judaism	-0.333
Reform Judaism	+0.333
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	+0.333
Self-Realization Fellowship	-0.333
Seventh-day Adventist Church	+0.333
Shinto shrine	+0.333
Soka Gakkai International-USA	-0.333
Soto Zen center	+1
Southern Baptist Convention	-0.333
Sri Sathya Sai Organization of USA	-0.333
Sunni Islamic Center	+0.333
Tenrikyo	+1
Theravada temple	+0.333
Tibetan Buddhist dharma center	+0.333
Twelver Shia Islamic Center	+0.333
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1
Unitarian Universalist Association	-0.333
United Church of Christ	+0.333
The United Methodist Church	+0.333
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vedanta Society	+0.333
Vietnamese Buddhist temple	+0.333
Vineyard USA	-1
Yiguandao (I-Kuan Tao)	+0.333

Communion rail $4,000

A low rail at which communicants kneel or stand to receive.

Footprint

4 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$20 a year

Looks

7 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Traits

serves communion; counts as mercy seat

Required by Lutherans. Serves communion along its whole four-metre front, which keeps a big parish's communion short. Put a longer rail in, or two, if services run long.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 20, jars with 24, 8 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Communion rail: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+0.333	required
American Baptist Churches USA	+0.333
Anglican Church in North America	+1	required
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-0.333
Christian Reformed Church in North America	+0.333
Church of Christ, Scientist	+0.333
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-0.333
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-0.333
Church of the Brethren	-0.333
Church of the Nazarene	-0.333	required
Churches of Christ	-0.333
Community of Christ	-0.333
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1
The Episcopal Church	+1	required
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333	required
Free Methodist Church USA	-0.333	required
Friends United Meeting	-0.333
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-0.333
Jehovah's Witnesses	-0.333
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	+1	required
Mennonite Church USA	-0.333
Moravian Church in America	+0.333
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-0.333
Orthodox Church in America	+1
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+0.333
Presbyterian Church in America	+0.333
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	+0.333
Seventh-day Adventist Church	+0.333
Southern Baptist Convention	-0.333
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1
Unitarian Universalist Association	-0.333
United Church of Christ	+0.333
The United Methodist Church	+0.333	required
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Communion station $300

A small stand where a minister serves communion. More stations, shorter lines.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$5 a year

Looks

3 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Traits

serves communion

Building fit

doesn't count (no distinct character)

The cheapest way to speed up communion: $300 and one metre square. Add a few if the service report says communion ran long.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: no fit (it has no particular character). Fit with every tradition

×

Communion station: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	—
African Methodist Episcopal Church	—
American Baptist Churches USA	—
Anglican Church in North America	—
Assemblies of God	—
Association of Related Churches	—
Calvary Chapel	—
Catholic Church	—
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	—
Christian Reformed Church in North America	—
Church of Christ, Scientist	—
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	—
Church of God in Christ	—
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	—
Church of the Brethren	—
Church of the Nazarene	—
Churches of Christ	—
Community of Christ	—
Coptic Orthodox Church	—
The Episcopal Church	—
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	—
Free Methodist Church USA	—
Friends United Meeting	—
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	—
Independent nondenominational church	—
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	—
Jehovah's Witnesses	—
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	—
Mennonite Church USA	—
Moravian Church in America	—
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	—
Orthodox Church in America	—
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	—
Presbyterian Church in America	—
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	—
The Salvation Army	—
Seventh-day Adventist Church	—
Southern Baptist Convention	—
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	—
Unitarian Universalist Association	—
United Church of Christ	—
The United Methodist Church	—
United Pentecostal Church International	—
Vineyard USA	—

Communion table $1,500

A wooden table for the Lord's Supper, often carved with "This do in remembrance of me."

Footprint

2 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$15 a year

Looks

6 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Traits

serves communion

Building fit

doesn't count (no distinct character)

Required by Baptists and Pentecostals. Serves communion. Neutral fit everywhere, so it's also a safe choice for a new tradition.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: no fit (it has no particular character), 29 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Communion table: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	—	required
African Methodist Episcopal Church	—	required
American Baptist Churches USA	—	required
Anglican Church in North America	—
Assemblies of God	—	required
Association of Related Churches	—	required
Calvary Chapel	—	required
Catholic Church	—
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	—	required
Christian Reformed Church in North America	—	required
Church of Christ, Scientist	—
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	—	required
Church of God in Christ	—	required
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	—	required
Church of the Brethren	—	required
Church of the Nazarene	—	required
Churches of Christ	—	required
Community of Christ	—	required
Coptic Orthodox Church	—
The Episcopal Church	—
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	—
Free Methodist Church USA	—	required
Friends United Meeting	—
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	—
Independent nondenominational church	—	required
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	—	required
Jehovah's Witnesses	—	required
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	—
Mennonite Church USA	—	required
Moravian Church in America	—	required
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	—	required
Orthodox Church in America	—
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	—	required
Presbyterian Church in America	—	required
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	—
The Salvation Army	—
Seventh-day Adventist Church	—	required
Southern Baptist Convention	—	required
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	—
Unitarian Universalist Association	—
United Church of Christ	—	required
The United Methodist Church	—
United Pentecostal Church International	—	required
Vineyard USA	—	required

Communion trays $600

Stacking trays of bread and small cups, passed along the pews.

Placement

Portable: bought, not placed

Upkeep

$20 a year

Looks

3 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Building fit

doesn't count (it isn't placed in the nave)

Expected by Baptists and Pentecostals, whose communion is passed along the pews. Buy them once; they're kept in the cupboard.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: no fit (it has no particular character), 22 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Communion trays: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	—
African Methodist Episcopal Church	—
American Baptist Churches USA	—	expected
Anglican Church in North America	—
Assemblies of God	—	expected
Association of Related Churches	—
Calvary Chapel	—	expected
Catholic Church	—
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	—	expected
Christian Reformed Church in North America	—	expected
Church of Christ, Scientist	—
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	—	expected
Church of God in Christ	—	expected
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	—	expected
Church of the Brethren	—
Church of the Nazarene	—	expected
Churches of Christ	—	expected
Community of Christ	—	expected
Coptic Orthodox Church	—
The Episcopal Church	—
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	—
Free Methodist Church USA	—
Friends United Meeting	—
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	—
Independent nondenominational church	—
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	—	expected
Jehovah's Witnesses	—	expected
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	—
Mennonite Church USA	—	expected
Moravian Church in America	—	expected
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	—	expected
Orthodox Church in America	—
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	—	expected
Presbyterian Church in America	—	expected
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	—
The Salvation Army	—
Seventh-day Adventist Church	—	expected
Southern Baptist Convention	—	expected
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	—
Unitarian Universalist Association	—
United Church of Christ	—	expected
The United Methodist Church	—
United Pentecostal Church International	—	expected
Vineyard USA	—

Confessional screen $1,500

A fixed screen so a penitent may confess anonymously.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$10 a year

Looks

4 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Building fit

doesn't count (no distinct character)

The one thing a reconciliation room needs, which Catholics and the Orthodox expect. Cheap: a $1,500 screen in a 4 m² room clears an expectation.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: no fit (it has no particular character). Fit with every tradition

×

Confessional screen: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	—
African Methodist Episcopal Church	—
American Baptist Churches USA	—
Anglican Church in North America	—
Assemblies of God	—
Association of Related Churches	—
Calvary Chapel	—
Catholic Church	—
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	—
Christian Reformed Church in North America	—
Church of Christ, Scientist	—
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	—
Church of God in Christ	—
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	—
Church of the Brethren	—
Church of the Nazarene	—
Churches of Christ	—
Community of Christ	—
Coptic Orthodox Church	—
The Episcopal Church	—
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	—
Free Methodist Church USA	—
Friends United Meeting	—
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	—
Independent nondenominational church	—
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	—
Jehovah's Witnesses	—
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	—
Mennonite Church USA	—
Moravian Church in America	—
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	—
Orthodox Church in America	—
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	—
Presbyterian Church in America	—
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	—
The Salvation Army	—
Seventh-day Adventist Church	—
Southern Baptist Convention	—
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	—
Unitarian Universalist Association	—
United Church of Christ	—
The United Methodist Church	—
United Pentecostal Church International	—
Vineyard USA	—

Coptic cross $900

A cross whose arms end in three points each, for the Trinity: the Coptic Church's own.

Placement

On a wall, 1 m wide

Upkeep

$0 a year

Looks

6 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 11, jars with 5, neutral to 28, 2 forbidden, 1 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Coptic cross: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	0
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+1
American Baptist Churches USA	0
Anglican Church in North America	+1
Assemblies of God	0
Association of Related Churches	0
Calvary Chapel	0
Catholic Church	0
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	0
Christian Reformed Church in North America	0
Church of Christ, Scientist	-1
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	0
Church of God in Christ	0
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-1	forbidden
Church of the Brethren	0
Church of the Nazarene	0
Churches of Christ	0
Community of Christ	0
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1	expected
The Episcopal Church	+1
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+1
Free Methodist Church USA	0
Friends United Meeting	0
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1
Independent nondenominational church	0
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	+1
Jehovah's Witnesses	-1	forbidden
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	0
Mennonite Church USA	0
Moravian Church in America	0
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	0
Orthodox Church in America	+1
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+1
Presbyterian Church in America	0
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	0
Seventh-day Adventist Church	0
Southern Baptist Convention	0
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	0
Unitarian Universalist Association	-1
United Church of Christ	+1
The United Methodist Church	+1
United Pentecostal Church International	0
Vineyard USA	0

Deity altar $35,000

The main altar, red and gold: a carved and gilded shrine where the temple's god sits with attendants either side, a long altar table before it with incense pots, oil lamps, candles, and plates of fruit and flowers. Everyone who comes in lights incense here first.

Footprint

3 × 2 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$300 a year

Looks

10 / 10

Offered to

Chinese traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden) or by its character; otherwise left out

The main altar with its gods, in red and gold: required at a folk or Daoist temple, and it marks the front of the room.

Across the 3 Chinese traditions: suits 2, jars with 0, neutral to 1, 2 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Deity altar: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Chinese folk temple	+0.5	required
Daoist temple	+0.5	required
Yiguandao (I-Kuan Tao)	—

Epitaphios $5,500

The embroidered winding sheet of Christ on a flowered bier, at the centre of Holy Friday.

Footprint

2 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$60 a year

Looks

8 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 4, jars with 36, neutral to 4, 3 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Epitaphios: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	-1
American Baptist Churches USA	-1
Anglican Church in North America	0
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	0
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-1
Christian Reformed Church in North America	-1
Church of Christ, Scientist	-1
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-1
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-1
Church of the Brethren	-1
Church of the Nazarene	-1
Churches of Christ	-1
Community of Christ	-1
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1
The Episcopal Church	0
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	0
Free Methodist Church USA	-1
Friends United Meeting	-1
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1	expected
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-1
Jehovah's Witnesses	-1
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	-1
Mennonite Church USA	-1
Moravian Church in America	-1
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-1
Orthodox Church in America	+1	expected
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	-1
Presbyterian Church in America	-1
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	-1
Seventh-day Adventist Church	-1
Southern Baptist Convention	-1
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1	expected
Unitarian Universalist Association	-1
United Church of Christ	-1
The United Methodist Church	-1
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Flaming chalice $600

A chalice holding a flame, lit as the service begins: the sign of Unitarian Universalist worship.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$10 a year

Looks

4 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 1, jars with 43, 1 required, 43 discouraged. Fit with every tradition

×

Flaming chalice: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1	discouraged
African Methodist Episcopal Church	-1	discouraged
American Baptist Churches USA	-1	discouraged
Anglican Church in North America	-1	discouraged
Assemblies of God	-1	discouraged
Association of Related Churches	-1	discouraged
Calvary Chapel	-1	discouraged
Catholic Church	-1	discouraged
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-1	discouraged
Christian Reformed Church in North America	-1	discouraged
Church of Christ, Scientist	-1	discouraged
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-1	discouraged
Church of God in Christ	-1	discouraged
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-1	discouraged
Church of the Brethren	-1	discouraged
Church of the Nazarene	-1	discouraged
Churches of Christ	-1	discouraged
Community of Christ	-1	discouraged
Coptic Orthodox Church	-1	discouraged
The Episcopal Church	-1	discouraged
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	-1	discouraged
Free Methodist Church USA	-1	discouraged
Friends United Meeting	-1	discouraged
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	-1	discouraged
Independent nondenominational church	-1	discouraged
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-1	discouraged
Jehovah's Witnesses	-1	discouraged
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	-1	discouraged
Mennonite Church USA	-1	discouraged
Moravian Church in America	-1	discouraged
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-1	discouraged
Orthodox Church in America	-1	discouraged
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	-1	discouraged
Presbyterian Church in America	-1	discouraged
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1	discouraged
The Salvation Army	-1	discouraged
Seventh-day Adventist Church	-1	discouraged
Southern Baptist Convention	-1	discouraged
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	-1	discouraged
Unitarian Universalist Association	+1	required
United Church of Christ	-1	discouraged
The United Methodist Church	-1	discouraged
United Pentecostal Church International	-1	discouraged
Vineyard USA	-1	discouraged

Foot-washing basins $150

Basins, pitchers, and towels for washing one another's feet: the ordinance of humility.

Placement

Portable: bought, not placed

Upkeep

$10 a year

Looks

0 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Building fit

doesn't count (it isn't placed in the nave)

Across the 44 Christian traditions: no fit (it has no particular character), 4 required, 3 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Foot-washing basins: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	—
African Methodist Episcopal Church	—
American Baptist Churches USA	—
Anglican Church in North America	—
Assemblies of God	—
Association of Related Churches	—
Calvary Chapel	—
Catholic Church	—
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	—
Christian Reformed Church in North America	—
Church of Christ, Scientist	—
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	—	required
Church of God in Christ	—	expected
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	—
Church of the Brethren	—	required
Church of the Nazarene	—
Churches of Christ	—
Community of Christ	—
Coptic Orthodox Church	—
The Episcopal Church	—
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	—
Free Methodist Church USA	—
Friends United Meeting	—
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	—
Independent nondenominational church	—
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	—	expected
Jehovah's Witnesses	—
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	—
Mennonite Church USA	—	expected
Moravian Church in America	—
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	—
Orthodox Church in America	—
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	—
Presbyterian Church in America	—
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	—
The Salvation Army	—
Seventh-day Adventist Church	—	required
Southern Baptist Convention	—
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	—
Unitarian Universalist Association	—
United Church of Christ	—
The United Methodist Church	—
United Pentecostal Church International	—	required
Vineyard USA	—

Haikal screen $55,000

The carved screen of a Coptic church, hung with icons, veiling its altars from the nave, with a curtain at each door.

Footprint

6 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$300 a year

Looks

10 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Traits

blocks the view

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 8, jars with 36, 1 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Haikal screen: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	-1
American Baptist Churches USA	-1
Anglican Church in North America	+1
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-1
Christian Reformed Church in North America	-1
Church of Christ, Scientist	-1
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-1
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-1
Church of the Brethren	-1
Church of the Nazarene	-1
Churches of Christ	-1
Community of Christ	-1
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1	required
The Episcopal Church	+1
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333
Free Methodist Church USA	-1
Friends United Meeting	-1
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-1
Jehovah's Witnesses	-1
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	-1
Mennonite Church USA	-1
Moravian Church in America	-1
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-1
Orthodox Church in America	+1
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	-1
Presbyterian Church in America	-1
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	-1
Seventh-day Adventist Church	-1
Southern Baptist Convention	-1
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1
Unitarian Universalist Association	-1
United Church of Christ	-1
The United Methodist Church	-1
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Havan kund $1,200

A square copper fire pit, stepped inside like an upturned pyramid, for the havan and the homa: ghee and grains offered into the fire to Vedic mantras, the family seated around it. Arya Samaj puts it at the centre of every gathering.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$60 a year

Looks

5 / 10

Offered to

Hindu traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

The fire pit at the centre of the Arya Samaj's hall, and required there; a temple's havan and homa use it too.

Across the 10 Hindu traditions: suits 1, jars with 0, neutral to 9, 1 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Havan kund: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Arya Samaj	+0.5	required
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha	—
Chinmaya Mission	—
Hindu temple	—
Indo-Caribbean mandir	—
International Society for Krishna Consciousness	—
International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation	—
Self-Realization Fellowship	—
Sri Sathya Sai Organization of USA	—
Vedanta Society	—

Honden $90,000

The shrine's inner sanctuary, where the kami dwells: a small building of unpainted cypress raised on posts, under its own bark roof sweeping out over the steps at the front, with forked finials (chigi) and logs (katsuogi) on the ridge. Only the priest goes in, and seldom. Set it on the grounds just behind the sanctuary: if the sanctuary has no altar of its own, its people face the honden. Ten months to build.

Footprint

3 × 3 m

Upkeep

$600 a year

Looks

9 / 10

Takes

10 months to make and install

Visibility

+3% new visitors

Offered to

Shinto traditions

Traits

stands outdoors

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

The shrine's inner sanctuary, a small building on the grounds under its own roof: expected, and a ground-floor haiden with no altar of its own faces it if it's within three metres.

Across the 3 Shinto traditions: suits 1, jars with 0, neutral to 2, 1 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Honden: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Konko Churches of North America	—
Shinto shrine	+0.5	expected
Tenrikyo	—

Iconostasis $60,000

A screen of icons between nave and sanctuary, with the Royal Doors at its center.

Footprint

6 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$300 a year

Looks

10 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Traits

blocks the view

Required by the Orthodox: the screen with the Royal Doors between nave and sanctuary. It blocks sight, which is its purpose, but keep it at the front so it doesn't block the view from the seats of the rest of the front.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 8, jars with 36, 3 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Iconostasis: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	-1
American Baptist Churches USA	-1
Anglican Church in North America	+1
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-1
Christian Reformed Church in North America	-1
Church of Christ, Scientist	-1
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-1
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-1
Church of the Brethren	-1
Church of the Nazarene	-1
Churches of Christ	-1
Community of Christ	-1
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1
The Episcopal Church	+1
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333
Free Methodist Church USA	-1
Friends United Meeting	-1
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1	required
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-1
Jehovah's Witnesses	-1
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	-1
Mennonite Church USA	-1
Moravian Church in America	-1
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-1
Orthodox Church in America	+1	required
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	-1
Presbyterian Church in America	-1
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	-1
Seventh-day Adventist Church	-1
Southern Baptist Convention	-1
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1	required
Unitarian Universalist Association	-1
United Church of Christ	-1
The United Methodist Church	-1
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Immersion font $12,000

A deep font in which an infant can be fully immersed.

Footprint

2 × 2 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$120 a year

Looks

8 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Required by the Orthodox for infant baptism by immersion. Needs space in front of it, so don't crowd the first row of seats against it.

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 20, jars with 24, 4 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Immersion font: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+0.333
American Baptist Churches USA	+0.333
Anglican Church in North America	+1
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-0.333
Christian Reformed Church in North America	+0.333
Church of Christ, Scientist	+0.333
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-0.333
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-0.333
Church of the Brethren	-0.333
Church of the Nazarene	-0.333
Churches of Christ	-0.333
Community of Christ	-0.333
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1	required
The Episcopal Church	+1
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333
Free Methodist Church USA	-0.333
Friends United Meeting	-0.333
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1	required
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-0.333
Jehovah's Witnesses	-0.333
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	+1
Mennonite Church USA	-0.333
Moravian Church in America	+0.333
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-0.333
Orthodox Church in America	+1	required
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+0.333
Presbyterian Church in America	+0.333
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	+0.333
Seventh-day Adventist Church	+0.333
Southern Baptist Convention	-0.333
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1	required
Unitarian Universalist Association	-0.333
United Church of Christ	+0.333
The United Methodist Church	+0.333
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Incense burner $900

A bronze burner on a stand, where each person comes forward, bows, and offers a pinch of incense. The congregation goes through a good deal of incense.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$120 a year

Looks

5 / 10

Offered to

Buddhist and Hindu and Jain and Chinese traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

Expected in every Buddhist temple and center, wherever worship centres on an image or on meditation, and at most Hindu temples, Jain centers, and Chinese temples. Not at a shrine or a gurdwara.

Across the 22 Buddhist and Hindu and Jain and Chinese traditions: suits 17, jars with 0, neutral to 5, 17 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Incense burner: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Arya Samaj	—
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha	+0.5	expected
Buddhist Churches of America	+0.5	expected
Chinese Buddhist temple	+0.5	expected
Chinese folk temple	+0.5	expected
Chinmaya Mission	—
Daoist temple	+0.5	expected
Hindu temple	+0.5	expected
Indo-Caribbean mandir	+0.5	expected
International Society for Krishna Consciousness	+0.5	expected
International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation	+0.5	expected
Jain center	+0.5	expected
Jain Vishva Bharati	—
Self-Realization Fellowship	—
Soka Gakkai International-USA	+0.5	expected
Soto Zen center	+0.5	expected
Sri Sathya Sai Organization of USA	+0.5	expected
Theravada temple	+0.5	expected
Tibetan Buddhist dharma center	+0.5	expected
Vedanta Society	—
Vietnamese Buddhist temple	+0.5	expected
Yiguandao (I-Kuan Tao)	+0.5	expected

Jin shrine $40,000

A tirthankara's shrine in carved white marble: the Jina seated in meditation in its niche, consecrated in India, with lamps and the puja table before it. Only those who have bathed and put on puja clothes go in to bathe and anoint the image; everyone else takes darshan from the hall. Build it against a wall.

Footprint

2 × 2 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$300 a year

Looks

10 / 10

Offered to

Jain traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden) or by its character; otherwise left out

A tirthankara's marble shrine: required at a Jain center with images, and a perfect fit there (+1). It marks the front of the room.

Across the 2 Jain traditions: suits 1, jars with 1, 1 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Jin shrine: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Jain center	+1	required
Jain Vishva Bharati	-1

Kami altar $18,000

The altar to the kami at the front of the sanctuary: a raised stage of plain cypress with a little shrine at its heart and its mirror, branches of sakaki in white vases either side, and the day's offerings of rice, salt, water, and sake on their stands. Fresh offerings every morning.

Footprint

2 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$240 a year

Looks

9 / 10

Offered to

Shinto traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

The altar to the kami: required by the shrine, Konko, and Tenrikyo alike. It marks the front of the haiden.

Across the 3 Shinto traditions: suits 3, jars with 0, 3 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Kami altar: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Konko Churches of North America	+0.5	required
Shinto shrine	+0.5	required
Tenrikyo	+0.5	required

Kiddush cup $400

A silver cup for the blessing over wine that welcomes Shabbat and the festivals, and for the kiddush after the service.

Placement

Portable: bought, not placed

Upkeep

$10 a year

Looks

3 / 10

Offered to

Jewish traditions

Building fit

doesn't count (it isn't placed in the nave)

Portable: the cup for the blessing over wine on Shabbat and the festivals. Bought once and kept in the cupboard.

Across the 5 Jewish traditions: no fit (it has no particular character). Fit with every tradition

×

Kiddush cup: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Chabad-Lubavitch	—
Conservative Judaism	—
Modern Orthodox Judaism	—
Reconstructionist Judaism	—
Reform Judaism	—

Lectern $1,500

A reading stand (ambo) from which Scripture is proclaimed.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$10 a year

Looks

5 / 10

Building fit

doesn't count (no distinct character)

Expected by Catholics, Lutherans, and the Orthodox. Leads the readings, and in the Mass and the Divine Liturgy the homily too. Every faith uses one: a Jain center's swadhyay, the Arya Samaj's pravachan, a Konko minister's talk, Yiguandao's lecture, an SGI study lecture, and a khutbah where there's no minbar are all given from it. Cheap and neutral.

Across the 80 traditions: no fit (it has no particular character), 12 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Lectern: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	—
African Methodist Episcopal Church	—
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community	—
American Baptist Churches USA	—
Anglican Church in North America	—	expected
Arya Samaj	—	expected
Assemblies of God	—
Association of Related Churches	—
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha	—
Buddhist Churches of America	—
Calvary Chapel	—
Catholic Church	—	expected
Chabad-Lubavitch	—
Chinese Buddhist temple	—
Chinese folk temple	—
Chinmaya Mission	—
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	—	expected
Christian Reformed Church in North America	—
Church of Christ, Scientist	—
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	—
Church of God in Christ	—
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	—
Church of the Brethren	—
Church of the Nazarene	—
Churches of Christ	—
Community of Christ	—
Community of Imam W. Deen Mohammed	—
Conservative Judaism	—
Coptic Orthodox Church	—	expected
Daoist temple	—
The Episcopal Church	—	expected
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	—	expected
Free Methodist Church USA	—
Friends United Meeting	—
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	—	expected
Gurdwara	—
Hindu temple	—
Independent nondenominational church	—
Indo-Caribbean mandir	—
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	—
International Society for Krishna Consciousness	—
International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation	—
Jain center	—
Jain Vishva Bharati	—
Jehovah's Witnesses	—
Konko Churches of North America	—
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	—	expected
Mennonite Church USA	—
Modern Orthodox Judaism	—
Moravian Church in America	—
The Nation of Islam	—
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	—
Orthodox Church in America	—	expected
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	—
Presbyterian Church in America	—
Reconstructionist Judaism	—
Reform Judaism	—
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	—
The Salvation Army	—
Self-Realization Fellowship	—
Seventh-day Adventist Church	—
Shinto shrine	—
Soka Gakkai International-USA	—
Soto Zen center	—
Southern Baptist Convention	—
Sri Sathya Sai Organization of USA	—
Sunni Islamic Center	—
Tenrikyo	—
Theravada temple	—
Tibetan Buddhist dharma center	—
Twelver Shia Islamic Center	—
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	—	expected
Unitarian Universalist Association	—
United Church of Christ	—
The United Methodist Church	—	expected
United Pentecostal Church International	—
Vedanta Society	—
Vietnamese Buddhist temple	—
Vineyard USA	—
Yiguandao (I-Kuan Tao)	—

Litany desk $1,100

A low desk in the aisle where the litany is said kneeling.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Upkeep

$8 a year

Looks

5 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Across the 44 Christian traditions: suits 20, jars with 24. Fit with every tradition

×

Litany desk: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	-1
African Methodist Episcopal Church	+0.333
American Baptist Churches USA	+0.333
Anglican Church in North America	+1
Assemblies of God	-1
Association of Related Churches	-1
Calvary Chapel	-1
Catholic Church	+1
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	-0.333
Christian Reformed Church in North America	+0.333
Church of Christ, Scientist	+0.333
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	-0.333
Church of God in Christ	-1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	-0.333
Church of the Brethren	-0.333
Church of the Nazarene	-0.333
Churches of Christ	-0.333
Community of Christ	-0.333
Coptic Orthodox Church	+1
The Episcopal Church	+1
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	+0.333
Free Methodist Church USA	-0.333
Friends United Meeting	-0.333
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	+1
Independent nondenominational church	-1
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	-0.333
Jehovah's Witnesses	-0.333
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	+1
Mennonite Church USA	-0.333
Moravian Church in America	+0.333
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	-0.333
Orthodox Church in America	+1
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	+0.333
Presbyterian Church in America	+0.333
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	-1
The Salvation Army	+0.333
Seventh-day Adventist Church	+0.333
Southern Baptist Convention	-0.333
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	+1
Unitarian Universalist Association	-0.333
United Church of Christ	+0.333
The United Methodist Church	+0.333
United Pentecostal Church International	-1
Vineyard USA	-1

Mediation seat $2,500

The minister's seat beside the altar: a raised tatami platform with a low desk, where the minister sits through the day to hear whoever comes and to carry their prayers to the kami (toritsugi), writing each one in the book.

Footprint

1 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$20 a year

Looks

6 / 10

Offered to

Shinto traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

Konko's mediation seat beside the altar, required: the minister sits here through the day.

Across the 3 Shinto traditions: suits 1, jars with 0, neutral to 2, 1 required. Fit with every tradition

×

Mediation seat: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Konko Churches of North America	+0.5	required
Shinto shrine	—
Tenrikyo	—

Mercy seat $1,800

A long kneeling bench at the front, for those who answer the invitation to come forward and pray.

Footprint

3 × 1 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$20 a year

Looks

3 / 10

Offered to

Christian traditions

Building fit

doesn't count (no distinct character)

Across the 44 Christian traditions: no fit (it has no particular character), 6 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Mercy seat: fit with every tradition

It has no character of its own, so it counts for no tradition's building fit; rules still apply.

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Acts 29	—
African Methodist Episcopal Church	—
American Baptist Churches USA	—
Anglican Church in North America	—
Assemblies of God	—
Association of Related Churches	—
Calvary Chapel	—
Catholic Church	—
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	—
Christian Reformed Church in North America	—
Church of Christ, Scientist	—
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	—	expected
Church of God in Christ	—	expected
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	—
Church of the Brethren	—
Church of the Nazarene	—	expected
Churches of Christ	—
Community of Christ	—
Coptic Orthodox Church	—
The Episcopal Church	—
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	—
Free Methodist Church USA	—
Friends United Meeting	—
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	—
Independent nondenominational church	—
International Pentecostal Holiness Church	—	expected
Jehovah's Witnesses	—
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	—
Mennonite Church USA	—
Moravian Church in America	—
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	—
Orthodox Church in America	—
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	—
Presbyterian Church in America	—
Religious Society of Friends (Friends General Conference)	—
The Salvation Army	—	expected
Seventh-day Adventist Church	—
Southern Baptist Convention	—
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church	—
Unitarian Universalist Association	—
United Church of Christ	—
The United Methodist Church	—
United Pentecostal Church International	—	expected
Vineyard USA	—

Mihrab $15,000

A pointed niche in the qibla wall, tiled and framed in calligraphy, that shows the way to pray: toward the Ka'ba in Mecca. The imam leads the prayer standing before it.

Placement

On a wall, 2 m wide

Upkeep

$60 a year

Looks

9 / 10

Offered to

Muslim traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

Expected in a mosque, in the qibla wall, and it marks the front of the room. Hang it on the wall the prayer rows face.

Across the 5 Muslim traditions: suits 4, jars with 0, neutral to 1, 4 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Mihrab: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community	+0.5	expected
Community of Imam W. Deen Mohammed	+0.5	expected
The Nation of Islam	—
Sunni Islamic Center	+0.5	expected
Twelver Shia Islamic Center	+0.5	expected

Minbar $14,000

A stepped pulpit beside the mihrab, its stair climbing to a seat under a little dome, where the leader stands to give the sermon at Jumu'ah.

Footprint

1 × 3 m

Clearance

1 m kept free in front

Upkeep

$80 a year

Looks

8 / 10

Offered to

Muslim traditions

Building fit

counts in its own faiths' traditions where their rules name it (+0.5 expected or required, −1 discouraged or forbidden); otherwise left out

Expected in a mosque, beside the mihrab: the khutbah at Jumu'ah is given from it.

Across the 5 Muslim traditions: suits 4, jars with 0, neutral to 1, 4 expected. Fit with every tradition

×

Minbar: fit with every tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); a rule applies wherever the item is.

Tradition	Fit	Rule
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community	+0.5	expected
Community of Imam W. Deen Mohammed	+0.5	expected
The Nation of Islam	—
Sunni Islamic Center	+0.5	expected
Twelver Shia Islamic Center	+0.5	expected