What is "impropriation"

Impropriation \Im*pro`pri*a"tion\, n.

1. The act of impropriating; as, the impropriation of property or tithes; also, that which is impropriated.

2. (Eng. Eccl. Law)

   1. The act of putting an ecclesiastical benefice in the hands of a layman, or lay corporation.

   2. A benefice in the hands of a layman, or of a lay corporation.

n. 1 The act of impropriate; putting an ecclesiastical benefice or tithes in the hands of a layman, or lay corporation. 2 A benefice, tithe etc. that has been put in lay hands.

Impropriation, a term from English ecclesiastical law, was the destination of the income from tithes of an ecclesiastical benefice to a layman. With the establishment of the parish system in England, it was necessary for the properties to have an owner. This was the parochianus or parson/rector who was sustained by the benefice income while providing personally for the cure-of-souls. The parson was technically a corporation sole. With the passage of time, the benefice came to be considered a piece of property whose holder could discharge the spiritual responsibilities by a deputy and many were appropriated by monasteries or other spiritual corporations. These were bound to provide for a cleric for the cure of souls in the parish but could use any excess income as they pleased. The deputy was often known as the 'vicar'.

Impropriation was similar except that the recipient was a layman or secular corporation who was obliged to provide a cleric to serve the parish and for his maintenance. After 1200, no layman could have a cure of souls but grants were still occasionally made. When the monastic properties passed into lay hands at the Reformation, many appropriations were converted into impropriations, and in 1603 of a total 9284 benefices an estimated 3489 were in the hands of impropriators or lay rectors. By custom, they were obliged to maintain the chancel in good repair.