rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryvestryChurch room
noun

vestry

VES-tree/ˈvestri/

A room in a church used for preparation and parish activities.

The priest puts on a stole beside the cupboard in the vestry.

A priest puts on a stole in a small church vestry, beside an open cupboard of vestments and a shelf holding communion vessels.
Etymology
vestLatingarment
+ryLatinplace for

The pieces point to a place for garments, originally a wardrobe. In church use, this became the room for keeping clerical vestments and other church property, or for dressing.

In context

London Luke Living History Page 0:16
I collate, index, and archive the latest batch of findings that I found within the Vestry
An Exciting New Project + A Break From Treasures From The Vestry Series

More examples

  • The choir gathers in the vestry before the service.
  • Old parish records fill a cabinet in the vestry.
  • Volunteers meet in the vestry to plan the parish supper.

Forms

vestry · vestries

Similar words

sacristy
More specifically emphasizes storage of sacred vessels and vestments.