Glossary of Terms
Circumcision, Feast of the
See Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The.
Claggett, Thomas John
(Oct. 2, 1743-Aug. 2, 1816). The first Bishop of Maryland and the first Episcopal bishop consecrated on American soil. He was born in Prince George's County, Maryland, and graduated from […]
Clare
(July 16, 1194-Aug. 11, 1253). She was born in Assisi, Italy. Clare came under the influence of St. Francis. On Mar. 18, 1212, she took the three monastic vows of […]
Clark, Lois Carter
(1910-Nov. 19, 1985). Leading Native American churchwoman. She was born in Council Hill, Oklahoma. Clark was a member of the Creek Nation and a longtime English teacher. She was a […]
Clark, Thomas March
(July 4, 1812-Sept. 7, 1903). Twelfth Presiding Bishop. He was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He graduated from Yale College in 1831 and worked for two years as a teacher. Clark […]
Clarkson College, Omaha, Nebraska
The Bishop Clarkson School of Nursing was founded in 1888 in memory of Bishop Robert Harper Clarkson (1826-1884), the first Bishop of Nebraska. In 1981 it became the Bishop Clarkson […]
Clebsch, William Anthony
(July 27, 1923-June 12, 1984). Church historian. He was born in Clarksville, Tennessee. Clebsch received his B.A. from the University of Tennessee in 1946 and his B.D. in the same […]
Clement of Alexandria
(c. 150-215). Early church theologian. Titus Flavius Clemens was probably born in Athens. In 190 he succeeded his teacher, Pantaenus, as the head of the Catechetical School in Alexandria. In […]
Clement of Rome
(d. c. 101). Usually considered the fourth Bishop of Rome, after Peter, Linus, and Anacletus, he is noted for his “The Letter of the Church of Rome to the Church […]
Clerestory, or clearstory
The upper part of a church building with windows for interior lighting. It rises above and “clears” the rest of the building.
Clergy, Members of the
Persons in holy orders, ordained for the ministry of bishop, priest, or deacon. The Episcopal Church canons concerning ordination for these ministries are equally applicable to men and women.
Clerical
Of or concerning the clergy. For example, a clerical collar is a collar worn by a member of the clergy.
Clericalism
A pejorative term that indicates a condescending attitude by one or more members of the clergy, an exaggerated deference to the clergy, or an inappropriate concentration of power in the […]
Clericals
Distinctive clothes worn by clergy that make the wearer identifiable as a member of the clergy. For example, a black shirt with a white clerical collar identifies the wearer as […]
Clericus
A meeting of clergy. It is often a meeting of clergy in a locality or deanery.
Clerk (Vestry)
The clerk or secretary of the parish vestry records minutes of the vestry meetings. These minutes are approved by the vestry and kept in the permanent records of the parish. […]
Clothing Day
” Christians who feel called to the religious life under vows normally pass through a period of testing known as the novitiate. In traditional orders where habits are worn by […]
Cobbs, Nicholas Hamner
(Feb. 5, 1796-Jan. 11, 1861). Bishop and evangelist. He was born in Bedford County, Virginia. He was raised a Presbyterian and educated privately. He was subsequently confirmed an Episcopalian and […]
Coffin, Margaret
(Apr. 16, 1769-Nov. 21, 1855). First person confirmed in Massachusetts. She was born in Boston and confirmed in 1786 at Christ Church, better known as Old North Church by Bishop […]
Coit, Henry Augustus
(Jan. 20, 1830-Feb. 5, 1895). First rector of St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware. At the age of fifteen he entered St. Paul's College, […]
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.