VESTRY

vestry, sacristy

(noun) a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept or meetings are held

vestry

(noun) in the Protestant Episcopal Church: a committee elected by the congregation to work with the churchwardens in managing the temporal affairs of the church

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

vestry (plural vestries)

A room in a church where the clergy put on their vestments and where these are stored; also used for meetings and classes; a sacristy.

A committee of parishioners elected to administer the temporal affairs of a parish.

An assembly of persons who manage parochial affairs; so called because usually held in a vestry.

Anagrams

• stryve

Source: Wiktionary

Ves"try, n.; pl. Vestries. Etym: [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. He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. 2 Kings x. 22.

2. (Ch. of Eng.)

Definition: A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons who manage parochial affairs; -- so called because usually held in a vestry.

3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.)

Definition: A body, composed of wardens and vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its temporal concerns. 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition