church-doors

When the sermon was ended, we staid the longer, because the church should be pretty empty; but we found great numbers at the church-doors, and in the church-porch; and I had the pleasure of hearing many commendations, as well of my person, as my dress and behaviour, and not one reflection, or mark of disrespect.

Pamela 2006

As the Portuguese would not pay high prices like the heretics, disturbances resulted, and these were put down by the desperate expedient of shutting the church-doors — a suicidal act not yet quite obsolete.

Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo 2003

In the evening, they seek the bright cafés and the waiters run busily to and fro among the crowded little tables; the narrow streets, imperfectly lighted, are full of moving shadows, and through the open church-doors, candles waver in the fitful draught, and quiet worshippers pass from altar to altar in penance or in supplication.

Cathedrals and Cloisters of the South of France, Volume 1 Elise Whitlock Rose

Then the rising tide of reform beat heavily upon the church-doors.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 12, No. 72, October, 1863 Various

In return, the intruders shoot at the windows indiscriminately, storm the doors, fire the houses; they grow more furious, and spare nothing; some towns-people retreat within the church-doors; the doors are beaten in; women barricade them with wool-packs, and fight over them with muskets, barrel to barrel.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 20, June, 1859 Various

St. Chrysostom extols the courage and zeal of St. Babylas, in shutting the church-doors against an emperor and a barbarous tyrant, then at the head of a victorious army.

The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March Alban Butler

All work ceased, every one uncovered and knelt down; while, through the open church-doors, we heard the

Anahuac : or, Mexico and the Mexicans, Ancient and Modern Edward Burnett Tylor

He often went out in the night to pray before the church-doors; and in the morning waited before them till they were opened to assist at matins.

The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March Alban Butler

It is true the people showed an extraordinary zeal in these religious exercises, and as the church-doors were always open, people would go in single at all times, whether the minister was officiating or no, and locking themselves into separate pews, would be praying to God with great fervency and devotion.

A Journal Of The Plague Year Defoe, Daniel, 1661?-1731 1935

The bells rang out, the priest sang with the sacristan and the whole procession triumphantly entered the wide church-doors.

The Path of Life Stijn [pseud.] Streuvels 1920