parsonage

American  

[pahr-suh-nij] / ˈpɑr sə nɪdʒ /

noun

1. the residence of a member of the clergy, as provided by the parish or church.

2. English Ecclesiastical Law. the benefice of a parson.

---

parsonage British  

/ ˈpɑːsənɪdʒ /

noun

1. the residence of a parson who is not a rector or vicar, as provided by the parish

---

Etymology

Origin of parsonage

1250–1300; Middle English personage < Anglo-French, equivalent to Medieval Latin persōnāticum benefice. See parson, -age

Explanation

Parsonage is a somewhat old-fashioned term for the housing a church provides to its clergy. The priest of a church in the English countryside might live in a nearby parsonage. Parsonage literally means "house for a parson," and a parson is the member of the clergy, mainly in the British Anglican church, although Lutherans often use this terminology too. Other names for a parsonage include rectory, clergy house, or vicarage. One of the perks of being a priest in a small, rural church would be getting to live in a charming parsonage.

Example Sentences

The detective, Arthur Brand, had been investigating the theft of “The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring,” one of van Gogh’s early works, painted in 1884.

From New York Times • Sep. 12, 2023

It said that it hopes to have “The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring” back on display soon, although this “could take weeks, if not months.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2023

O’Connor’s script, along with costumes and props from the film, are on display in the Brontë Parsonage Museum.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2023

Charlotte, her sisters, Emily and Anne, and brother Branwell created a number of miniature books as children growing up together at the Parsonage in Haworth.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2022

“I mention it, because it is the living which I ought to have had. A most delightful place!—Excellent Parsonage House! It would have suited me in every respect.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen