chapel of ease

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. a chapel in a remote part of a large parish, in which Mass is celebrated.

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chapel of ease British  

noun

1. a church built to accommodate those living at a distance from the parish church

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Etymology

Origin of chapel of ease

First recorded in 1530–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chapel of ease

To get around canon law, St. Mark's will technically be known as a "chapel of ease" rather than a parish for Catholics, but it will nonetheless be an approved place of worship.

From Time Magazine Archive

No longer a regular parish, it is used for special occasions and is known as a "chapel of ease."

From Time Magazine Archive

If a parish be of greater extent than ordinary, it hath generally a chapel of ease; and some of the parishes have two such chapels, besides the church, for the greater convenience of the parishioners.

From The History of Virginia, in Four Parts by Beverley, Robert

"This is my own little chapel of ease, Miss Luttrell," the countess explained; "and now do you not see a fellow-countryman?"

From Tiny Luttrell by Hornung, Ernest William

Callington is in the ecclesiastical parish of North Hill, and the church is merely a chapel of ease.

From Cornwall by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)