[see -DOM: cf. Ger. kirchenthum, kirchthum.] Existence or standing as a church; ecclesiastical status; the system of a church.
1659. Pearson, Creed, ix. Whatsoever Church pretendeth to a new beginning, pretendeth at the same time to a new Churchdome, and whatsoever is so new, is none.
1851. Browning, in Lett. of Shelley (1852), Introd. 33. Mistaking Churchdom for Christianity.
