Bible Dictionaries
Altar Rail

The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

The railing enclosing the Sanctuary in which the Altar stands, and at which the communicants kneel in receiving the Holy Communion, is called, in the Institution Office the Altar Rail. Supposed to have been first introduced by Archbishop Laud as a protection of the Altar against the lawlessness and irreverence of the Puritans.

Bibliography Information
Miller, William James. Entry for 'Altar Rail'. The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​acd/​a/altar-rail.html. 1901.