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.
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            He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring
            forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. --2
                                                  Kings x. 22.
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   2. (Ch. of Eng.) A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons
      who manage parochial affairs; -- so called because usually
      held in a vestry.
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   3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.) A body, composed of wardens and
      vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its
      temporal concerns.
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   {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.
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