Altar desks are an essential piece of furniture in churches, used for conducting religious ceremonies. Alternative names for altar desks include altar tables, communion tables, or Holy Tables. These synonyms are used interchangeably and differ only slightly in their religious connotations. In Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, an altar desk is typically called the altar or the high altar. The term "come to the altar" refers to a church event where attendees are invited to kneel or pray at the altar desk. Ultimately, the name used for this piece of church furniture will depend upon the denomination and tradition of the particular faith community.