Churchwardens

[L. Lat. ecclesiae gardiani.] Guardians, overseers or keepers of the church. Parochial officers annually appointed by the parish, whose peculiar province it is to take care of the church, that is, to see to the repairs of the church, and to have the care of the goods belonging to it. 1 Bl. Com. 394, 395. 1 Wooddes. Lect. 160. 3 Steph. Com. 90, 91. Cowell. Termes de la ley. They are the representatives of the body of the parish, and are taken, in favor of the church, to be, for some purposes, a kind of corporation at the common law, that is, they are enabled by that name to have a property in goods and chattels, and to bring actions for them, for the use and profit of the parish. 1 Bl. Com. 394. 3 Steph. Com. 90. 1 Wooddes. Lect. 161. Story, J., 9 Cranch R. 43.