CHURCH. In a moral or spiritual sense this word signifies a society of 
persons who profess the Christian religion; and in a physical or material 
sense, the place where such. persons assemble. The term church is nomen 
collectivum; it comprehends the chancel, aisles, and body of the church. 
Ham. N. P. 204. 
     2. By the English law, the terms church or chapel, and church-yard, are 
expressly recognized as in themselves correct and technical descriptions of 
the building and place, even in criminal proceedings. 8 B. & C. *25; 1 Salk. 
256; 11 Co. 25 b; 2 Esp. 5, 28. 
     3. It is not within the plan of this work to give an account of the 
different local regulations in the United States respecting churches. 
References are here given to enable the inquirer to ascertain what they are, 
where such regulations are known to exist. 2 Mass. 500; 3 Mass. 166; 8 Mass. 
96; 9 Mass. 277; Id. 254; 10 Mass. 323; 15 Mass. 296 16 Mass. 488; 6 Mass. 
401; 10 Pick. 172 4 Day, C. 361; 1 Root Sec. 3, 440; Kirby, 45; 2 Caines' 
Cas. 336; 10 John. 217; 6 John. 85; 7 John. 112; 8 John. 464; 9 John. 147; 4 
Desaus. 578; 5 Serg. & Rawle, 510; 11 Serg. & Rawle, 35; Metc. & Perk. Dig. 
h.t.; 4 Whart. 531.