Bible Encyclopedias
Altar-Side

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

that part of the altar which faces the congregation. In correctly orientated churches this is, of course, the western side; but where altars are placed against the north and south walls of collegiate or cathedral churches, as is constantly the case on the Continent and in the Anglo-Roman communion, the altar-side will be that against which the priest stands when ministering at the same.