The outer door of a church, which was the place at which various public acts (e.g., marriages) were ordained to be performed.
c. 897. K. Ælfred, Cura Past., 105. Beforan ðære ciricean dura.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 73. Heore godfaderes and heore godmoderes scullen onswerie for hem et þe chirche dure.
c. 1200. Ormin, 1327. Hemm birrde Twa bukkess samenn to þe preost Att kirrkedure brinngen.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 460. Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyue.
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., lxiv. 276. She made to be wryte vp on þe chirch-dor … theise wordes.
1535. Stewart, Chron. Scot., II. 17. He weddit hir at kirkdur with ane ring.
1574. Bk. General Kirk. Sall present thameselffis vpone Sunday nixt … at the eist kirkduir … in saccloth.
1865. Reader, 23 Sept., 237/2. Joan had never been solemnly espoused at the church door.
b. Comb. Church-door-ward.
1542. Becon, Potation for Lent, Wks. 114. Then the people goeth somewhat further into the Church-door ward, and there standeth still.
