vestry

[ ves-tree ]

noun

, plural ves·tries.

1. a room in or a building attached to a church, in which the vestments, and sometimes liturgical objects, are kept; sacristy.
2. (in some churches) a room in or a building attached to a church, used as a chapel, for prayer meetings, for the Sunday school, etc.
3. Episcopal Church. a committee elected by members of a congregation to serve with the churchwardens in managing the temporal affairs of the church.
4. Church of England. a meeting attended by all the parishioners or by a committee of parishioners during which the official business of the church is discussed.

vestry

/ ˈvɛstrɪ /

noun

1. a room in or attached to a church in which vestments, sacred vessels, etc, are kept
2. a room in or attached to some churches, used for Sunday school, meetings, etc
3. Church of England
   1. a meeting of all the members of a parish or their representatives, to transact the official business of the parish
   2. the body of members meeting for this; the parish council
4. Episcopal Church Anglican Church a committee of vestrymen chosen by the congregation to manage the temporal affairs of their church

Derived Forms

• ˈvestral, adjective

Other Words From

• vestral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vestry¹

1350–1400; Middle English vestrie, vestrye. See vest (v.), -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of vestry¹

C14: probably from Old French vestiarie; see vest

Example Sentences

At Church of the Redeemer, Anderson helped to maintain the gardens and served as a volunteer on the vestry.

From Washington Post

It was in the vestry where the choir was putting on its garments.

From The Daily Beast

A number of the articles were used in the erection of Edgbaston Vestry Hall, where the curious may inspect them if so inclined.

From Project Gutenberg

In such ceremonies the wedding-party all meet in the vestry, and go to the altar together.

From Project Gutenberg

The vestry declined to compromise, and insisted on allowing tobacco as a non-dietetic indulgence.

From Project Gutenberg

When the Duc d'Anjou was gone, and had been followed by all the others, the three Guises entered the vestry.

From Project Gutenberg

I felt quite at home, as if I had been at some vestry-meeting, or some committee in the old country, when Elatreus got up.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• church
• sanctuary
• shrine