When To Capitalize Church

[Byzantine]

When should and shouldn't we capitalize the word "church?" Thanks!

[Nunsense]

I cpaitalize it when it refers to the Catholic Church (as in 'the Church') and I don't when it means just any church, Catholic or Protestant or anything else. I kind of use it as a proper Noun - similar to using Mom and Dad as names as opposed to my mom and my dad.

 

I'm not saying this is the correct way, but proper nouns are capitalized so that's why I do it.

Edited December 22, 2012 by nunsense

[morostheos]

^ What she said. 

 

 

[Nihil Obstat]

Generally I will only refer to the building as a "church", and if I am talking about the Church, I capitalize.

[Gabriela]

There is a correct/incorrect way to do this. (I was an editor before returning to grad school.) What nunsense says is correct. If you are referring to the non-physical, abstract, universal Catholic Church, then you capitalize. If you are referring to a parish building, then you do not capitalize. Some examples:

 

"She's a member of the Church" means: She's Catholic.

 

"She's a member of our church" means: She's on the rolls at our parish.

 

"What does the Church teach on this matter?" means: What is Catholic teaching on this subject?

 

"Do you go to church?" means: Do you get up early on Sunday mornings?

 

(If you are referring to the Protestant faith generally, I would never capitalize "church". But this obviously betrays a Catholic bias.)

 

Is that clear?

[AnneLine]

I'd think you'd also capitalize it as a proper name:

 

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, obviously...

 

but also St. Swithin's Episcopal Church

 

Church of the Open Door     being one of the many protestant churches...

 

Even if I don't think they are proper churches, I think the proper name trumps?  yes?

[GeorgiiMichael]

I'd think you'd also capitalize it as a proper name:

 

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, obviously...

 

but also St. Swithin's Episcopal Church

 

Church of the Open Door     being one of the many protestant churches...

 

Even if I don't think they are proper churches, I think the proper name trumps?  yes?

 

Yes, I would say so. Being that these are the names (and therefore proper nouns) of these particular groups.

[MIKolbe]

i think it all depends on your financial ratios.....

[Nihil Obstat]

i think it all depends on your financial ratios.....

 

And whether you use ROI or residual income.

[AnneLine]

;)   

[Slappo]

i think it all depends on your financial ratios.....

 

 

And whether you use ROI or residual income.

 

tee hee... accountant humor...

[Gabriela]

I'd think you'd also capitalize it as a proper name:

 

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, obviously...

 

but also St. Swithin's Episcopal Church

 

Church of the Open Door     being one of the many protestant churches...

 

Even if I don't think they are proper churches, I think the proper name trumps?  yes?

 

Yes, absolutely. All proper names are capitalized.

 

Unless you're a hopelessly liberal academic or poet in desperate need of attention.

 

 

tee hee... accountant GEEK humor...

 

 

 

rotfl

Edited December 24, 2012 by curiousing

[AnneLine]

yup, I was thinking that perhaps e.e. cummings might to challenge St. John of the Cross and St. Hildegarde for poetic rights....

 

 

st  e. e.   

 

 

Kind of like it... has a nice ring..... maybe we should check e.e. out...

Edited December 24, 2012 by AnneLine

[Nunsense]

yup, I was thinking that perhaps e.e. cummings might to challenge St. John of the Cross and St. Hildegarde for poetic rights....

 

 

st  e. e.   

 

 

Kind of like it... has a nice ring..... maybe we should check e.e. out...

 

I don't know about saint but...

 

'almighty God! I thank thee for my soul; & may I never die spiritually into a mere mind through disease of loneliness' e e cummings

 

'may I be I is the only prayer—not may I be great or good or beautiful or wise or strong' e e cummings

[AnneLine]

 Thanks, Nunsense....   ee and I go way back.  :)   "I" want to meet him in heaven....