churchwarden

/'tʃə:tʃ'wɔ:dn/

Thân thiện

The churchwarden unlocks the heavy wooden doors of the church each morning.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A lay officer in certain Christian churches, particularly the Anglican/Episcopal tradition, who assists the parish priest or rector with administrative and secular matters. A churchwarden is typically a volunteer from the congregation, elected or appointed, responsible for the care of the church building, its contents, and finances, and for assisting in maintaining order during services.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The churchwarden is responsible for ensuring the historic building is properly maintained.
  • She was elected as a churchwarden and now helps the vicar with parish accounts.
  • The churchwardens welcomed the new parishioners at the door.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Role: In some contexts, the term can refer to the specific historical role and authority of the position, which can include legal responsibilities under ecclesiastical law.
  • The churchwarden's duties are partly defined by ancient canon law.

Variants and Related Words

• Churchwardenship (n): The office or term of service of a churchwarden.
  • During his churchwardenship, major restoration work was completed.

Synonyms

• Parish officer: A general term for someone holding an administrative office in a parish.
• Vestryman/Vestrywoman: In some church traditions, a member of the vestry (the governing body), which may overlap with churchwarden duties.

Notes on Different Meanings

• Historical/Object Term: In a completely different, archaic context, "churchwarden" was also a term for a long-stemmed clay pipe for smoking (short for "churchwarden's pipe"). This usage is now rare and historical.
  • The old innkeeper smoked a churchwarden by the fire. (This example illustrates the separate, archaic meaning and is not related to the ecclesiastical officer.)

Học thuật

Noun

1. an officer in the Episcopal church who helps a parish priest with secular matters