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As the Christians came out of hiding with a need for public meeting places, they first adopted existing civic halls known as basilicas. This was a long hall with a semi-circular apse at one end.  They later modified this plan by adding a transept that cut through the main hall at a right angle.

Characteristic features of Early Christian architecture include:
nave - main hall (comes from word for "boat" as did "navy")
apse - semi-circular space at the end of the nave
transept - cuts across nave at right angle
aisle - area to either side of nave; lower ceiling; separated by columns
low dome - covering the area where the nave and transept met