Church-warden

CHURCH-WARDEN. An officer whose duties are, as the name implies, to take care of, or guard the church.
     2. These officers are created in some ecclesiastical corporations by the charter, and their rights and duties are definitely explained.In England, it is said, their principal duties are to take care of, 1. the church or building; 2. the utensils and furniture; 3. the church-yard; 4. matters of good order concerning the church and church-yard; 5. the endowments of the church. Bac. Ab. h.t. By the common law, the capacity of church-wardens to hold property for the church, is limited to personal property. 9 Cranch, 43.