noun
sacristy
SAK-rih-stee/ˈsækrɪsti/
A room in a church where sacred vessels and ceremonial clothing are kept.
The priest keeps the chalice and ceremonial robes in the sacristy.
Etymology
The ancestor denotes a repository for sacred things. The room is defined by what it keeps—ceremonial vessels and vestments—rather than simply by being part of a church.
In context
we have our mini sacristy with vestments for use at Mass and some important supplies
More examples
- The church has a small sacristy behind the altar.
- Volunteers return the clean vestments to the sacristy.
- Both sacristies have locked cabinets for sacred vessels.
Forms
sacristy · sacristies
sacristan noun — A church official who maintains sacred objects.
Similar words
- vestry
- Often the same room, with emphasis on clergy dressing there.