Noun

Singular collegiate church

Plural collegiate churches

collegiate church (plural collegiate churches)

1. A Christian church, other than a cathedral, that has a chapter of canons and a dean or provost.

In Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons; a non-monastic, or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a dean or provost. In its governance and religious observance a collegiate church is similar to a cathedral, although a collegiate church is not the seat of a bishop, and has no diocesan responsibilities. Collegiate churches were often supported by (extensive) lands held by the church, or by tithe income from appropriated benefices. They commonly provide distinct spaces respectively for congregational worship, and for the choir offices of their clerical community.