(Redirected from Parsonage):''"Parsonage" and "Vicarage" redirect here.
Depending on
denomination and local tastes, the
building inhabited, or formerly inhabited by the leader of a
Christian church can be referred to by many names. In
Roman Catholic churches this is always called a 'rectory'. Traditionally Catholic rectories housed several priests from a
parish, as opposed to other denominations where the church leader is often married and raising children. In churches that are members of the
Anglican Communion, the building will most commonly be called a 'rectory' or '
vicarage' depending on the title of the inhabitant.
Methodists might refer to it as a
manse or '
parsonage', while the latter is quite frequently used in English-speaking
Lutheran churches. 'Manse' is the usual name for the house of a
Church of Scotland minister. These homes are traditionally owned and maintained by the church, as a benefit to their preacher. The trend continues to this day in many denominations because of the tendency of church officials to be sent from one church to another at a relatively frequent pace. However, many of the previous buildings with the titles of "vicarage" or "rectory" that are sold by the church retain their old names.
Parsonage is also a fairly rare English/Welsh surname.
See also
★
Manse
★
Rector