Step-by-step explanation:
At the beginning of the Enlightenment, the group that held the most power was:
D. The church.
During the early stages of the Enlightenment, the influence of the church, particularly the Roman Catholic Church, remained significant. The church held considerable power both as a religious institution and as a political force in many European societies. It exerted control over various aspects of people's lives, including education, morality, and governance. However, as the Enlightenment progressed, the power dynamics shifted, and new ideas and philosophies advocated for a more secular and rational approach to knowledge and governance. This led to challenges to the authority of the church and the rise of other influential groups such as philosophers and scientists.