rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryrectoryClergy residence
noun

rectory

REK-tuh-ree/ˈrektəri/

A home provided for a rector or parish priest.

The parish priest lives in the rectory beside the church.

A modest parish house beside a small church, with a young rector in a clerical collar unlocking the house's front door while carrying a grocery bag, clearly presenting it as his home rather than the church itself.
Etymology
rectorLatinruler, director
+yLatinoffice or associated place

Built on the title rector, rectory first referred to the rector’s benefice, including church property, rights, and privileges. The house meaning focuses on the residence associated with that position.

In context

smmogpriest0:16
our rectory Chapel it used to be an office but when I moved in gosh about 2 years ago now I turned it into a chapel so that the priests of the house could pray together
Tour of the Rectory Chapel and what informs your parish priests' at prayer

More examples

  • The new rector moves into the rectory next week.
  • Parish volunteers repaired the rectory's leaking roof.
  • Both parishes provide rectories for their priests.

Forms

rectory · rectories

rector noun — A priest who leads a parish.

Similar words

parsonage
A minister's residence, not specifically a rector's or priest's.
manse
A minister's residence, especially one provided by a Presbyterian church.