Definition

1. Noun:
   • An official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector: A house owned by a church and provided for the use of its minister, especially in Anglican and some other Christian traditions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old parsonage next to the church has been the vicar's home for over a century.
  • Funds were raised to repair the roof of the historic parsonage.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Legal Context: In some contexts, a "parsonage" is more than just a house; it is a church-owned property tied to a clerical position (a "living" or "benefice"). The minister has the right to occupy it while serving the parish.
  • The glebe land and the parsonage were part of the rector's endowment.

Variants and Related Words

• Vicarage (n): A residence provided for a vicar. Often used interchangeably with "parsonage," though technically a vicarage is for a vicar and a parsonage/rectory is for a rector.
  • The new vicar moved into the vicarage last week.
• Rectory (n): A residence provided for a rector. Similar to a parsonage.
  • The large rectory had ample room for the rector's family.
• Manse (n): A residence provided for a minister, especially in Presbyterian or Nonconformist churches.
  • The minister's family lived in the manse beside the kirk.

Synonyms

• Clergy house: A general term for a house provided for clergy.
• Pastorium: (Chiefly US) A residence for a pastor.
• Glebe house: (Historical) A parsonage, especially one with associated farmland (glebe).

Related Phrases

• "The parsonage garden": A common phrase referring to the garden of the minister's house, often noted in literature and local descriptions.
  • She took a stroll through the well-kept parsonage garden.

Noun

1. an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector