What do we call the “center” of a medieval village where people often gathered to pray?

The story behind the answer

In most medieval villages, the parish building anchored community life. People gathered there for Mass, confession, and key rites—baptisms, weddings, funerals. Its bells marked time, signaling work, worship, curfew, and alarms, so even field laborers oriented their day around it.

It also kept records, hosted meetings, collected tithes and alms, and launched feast-day processions. By contrast, the manor house was the lord’s residence, the market square focused on trade, and the village green on grazing and fairs. The parish’s spiritual and administrative role made it the true heart of the settlement.