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.
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.) A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons
who manage parochial affairs; -- so called because usually
held in a vestry.
3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.) 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 Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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