St James Episcopal Downingtown Vestry Church Leaders

The Vestry shall be agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relation of the Parish to its Clergy.

– Canon 14, Section 2 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church

In the Episcopal Church in the United States, the vestry is the legal representative of the parish. The presiding officer of the vestry is the Rector. There are usually two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between Rectors and is a support person for the Rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation, to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.

Here at St. James’, our senior warden is called the Rector’s Warden and is chosen from among the vestry by the rector. The junior warden and other officers are elected by the vestry. We have twelve members elected for three-year terms, with one-third of the members typically ending their terms each year. A member may be elected for two consecutive terms, but then must remain off the vestry for at least a year before running again. Elections are held at the annual meeting, which takes place in early February. Vestry meetings are held once a month, typically in the evening on the last Wednesday of the month.

The work of the vestry is carried out through a network of committees that deal with everything from the maintenance of the church building to the support of the church’s charitable outreach activities in the community.

Saint James’ is blessed to have dedicated and able members serving on our Vestry.