lay reader

American  

noun

Anglican Church.

1. a layperson authorized by a bishop to conduct certain parts of a service.

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lay reader British  

noun

1. Church of England a person licensed by a bishop to conduct religious services other than the Eucharist

2. RC Church a layman chosen from among the congregation to read the epistle at Mass and sometimes other prayers

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Etymology

Origin of lay reader

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

For the historian or biographer, such details are inescapably important; for the lay reader, they can become wearisome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Joy Gambardella, a lay reader at the city’s Emmanuel Church, said Al Swealmeen had been a “committed Christian”.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2021

Along with a call to remember the sick and shut-in, the lay reader asks parishioners to pray for Father Charlie’s eyesight and injured arm.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2019

Of the four worshipers, one was a lay reader, Edna Tan, who came to the United States from the Philippines 27 years ago.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2016

"This volume of sermons is one of the very best we have recently met with for the lay reader or for family reading."

From Old Wine and New Occasional Discourses by Cross, Joseph