In
Christianity, a
collegiate church is a church where the
daily office of worship is maintained by a
college of
canons; a non-monastic or
"secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a
dean or
provost. In its governance and religious observance a collegiate church is similar to a
cathedral, although a collegiate church is not the seat of a
bishop and has no
diocesan responsibilities. Collegiate churches were often supported by extensive lands held by the church, or by
tithe income from
appropriated benefices. They commonly provide distinct spaces for congregational worship and for the choir offices of their clerical community.