The Church (also known as The Magisterium) is the most powerful institution in Lyra's world. Based in Geneva, it is comprised of a complicated network of colleges, councils, and lesser courts under the overall administration of the Consistorial Court of Discipline. The Church keeps order in Lyra's World by hiding the secrets of parallel universes, and a unifying particle called Dust.

The Church is referred to exclusively as The Magisterium in the film, in an effort to avoid offending religious organizations.