- Vestries
- Vestry Ves"try, n.; pl. {Vestries}. [OE. vestrye, F.
vestiaire, L. vestiarium, fr. vestiarius belonging to
clothes, fr. vestis a garment. See {Vest}, n., and cf.
{Vestiary}.]
1. A room appendant to a church, in which sacerdotal
vestments and sacred utensils are sometimes kept, and
where meetings for worship or parish business are held; a
sacristy; -- formerly called revestiary.
[1913 Webster]
He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. --2 Kings x. 22. [1913 Webster]
2. (Ch. of Eng.) A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons who manage parochial affairs; -- so called because usually held in a vestry. [1913 Webster]
3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.) A body, composed of wardens and vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its temporal concerns. [1913 Webster]
{Metropolitan vestry}, in the city of London, and certain specified parishes and places in England, a body composed of householders who pay poor rates. Its duties include the repair of churches, care of highways, the appointment of certain officers, etc.
{Select vestry}, a select number of persons chosen in large and populous English parishes to represent and manage the concerns of the parish for one year. --Mozley & W.
{Vestry board} (Ch. of Eng.), a vestry. See def. 2, above.
{Vestry clerk}, an officer chosen by the vestry, who keeps a record of its proceedings; also, in England, one who keeps the parish accounts and books.
{Vestry meeting}, the meeting of a vestry or vestry board; also, a meeting of a parish held in a vestry or other place. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
