What is "vestry board"

Vestry \Ves"try\, n.; pl. Vestries. [OE. vestrye, F. vestiaire, L. vestiarium, fr. vestiarius belonging to clothes, fr. vestis a garment. See Vest, n., and cf. Vestiary.]

1. A room appendant to a church, in which sacerdotal vestments and sacred utensils are sometimes kept, and where meetings for worship or parish business are held; a sacristy; -- formerly called revestiary.

   He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal.
   --2 Kings x. 2

2. 2. (Ch. of Eng.) A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons who manage parochial affairs; -- so called because usually held in a vestry.

3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.) A body, composed of wardens and vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its temporal concerns.

   Metropolitan vestry, in the city of London, and certain specified parishes and places in England, a body composed of householders who pay poor rates. Its duties include the repair of churches, care of highways, the appointment of certain officers, etc.

   Select vestry, a select number of persons chosen in large and populous English parishes to represent and manage the concerns of the parish for one year.
   --Mozley & W.

   Vestry board (Ch. of Eng.), a vestry. See def. 2, above.

   Vestry clerk, an officer chosen by the vestry, who keeps a record of its proceedings; also, in England, one who keeps the parish accounts and books.

   Vestry meeting, the meeting of a vestry or vestry board; also, a meeting of a parish held in a vestry or other place.