church father

American  

noun

1. father.

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Etymology

Origin of church father

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Ever since the days when Willem was studying church history, I had remembered the venerable fourth-century church father, Eusebius.

From Literature

Five miles away at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Father Ricardo Gonzalez said church attendance is down at least 30%.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the common paraphrase of an argument by Tertullian, an early church father.

From Salon

In an unusually empty Nativity Church, Father Eissa Thaldjiya tells me his city feels like a shadow of itself.

From BBC

“I have to pay $4,600 a month just for the heating bill” in the church, Father Myron said.

From New York Times