The people, the body of Christ, sit in the "body" of the church. The altar, where the Eucharist is consecrated, and the priest, acting en persona christi capitas (in the person of Christ, the head), are at the "head" of the church.
In the past, churches were always built facing East, for the rising sun, symbolizing Christ and His Resurrection.
Churches with high ceilings are build to show the greatness and grandeur of God, which I'm sure you can feel when you enter any of our large cathedrals or churches.
Have you ever noticed how many churches have stairs that you must climb to enter the front doors?
This is to remind the people that we are climbing up to meet God in the Mass. We are raising up to share in a taste of Heaven. "Heaven kisses Earth" as Matt Maher says in this wonderfully catechetical song:
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