Legal Definitions - vicarage

Vicarage

A vicarage primarily refers to two distinct but related aspects concerning a vicar, who is a type of priest in certain Christian denominations, particularly the Anglican Church:

• It can refer to the official residence provided for the vicar, often a house owned by the church or diocese, where the vicar lives and sometimes conducts parish business.
• It can also refer to the office, position, or benefice of a vicar, encompassing the duties, responsibilities, and the associated income or property granted to them for their service.

Here are some examples to illustrate the term:

• After Reverend Miller was appointed to St. Jude's Parish, the church council arranged for him to move into the newly renovated vicarage located next to the church building.

  This example illustrates the first meaning of vicarage, referring to the physical house provided as the official residence for the vicar.

• The historical records showed that the annual stipend and a plot of land were part of the vicarage granted to the parish priest in the 18th century, ensuring their financial support.

  Here, "vicarage" refers to the benefice – the income and property associated with the office of the vicar – rather than just the house itself.

• During the community meeting, parishioners discussed the increasing demands of the vicarage, noting the need for more administrative support to help the vicar manage their extensive pastoral duties.

  In this context, "vicarage" refers to the office or position of the vicar, encompassing the responsibilities and demands of that role within the church.