Sexton

A sexton is a church, congregation or synagogue officer charged with the maintenance of its buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard.

In smaller places of worship, this office is often combined with that of verger.^[1]

In larger buildings, such as cathedrals, a team of sextons may be employed.^[2]

Historically in North America and the United Kingdom the "sexton" was sometimes a minor municipal official responsible for overseeing the town graveyard.

In the United Kingdom the position still exists today, related to management of the community's graveyard, and the sexton is usually employed by the town/parish or community council. ^{[3] [4]}

Origin of the name

The word "Sexton" and "sacristan" both derive from the Medieval Latin word sacristanus meaning "custodian of sacred objects". "Sexton" represents the popular development of the word, via the Old French "Segrestein", from Latin Sacristanus "Sacristan".^[5]

Duties

Amongst the traditional duties of the sexton in small parishes was the digging of graves - the gravedigger in Hamlet refers to himself as sexton, for example.^[6] In modern times, grave digging is usually done by an outside contractor. The general duties of a modern sexton may include (but are not limited to):^[7]

• Operation and maintenance of mechanical systems, such as refrigerators, boilers, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, hot water systems, kitchen equipment, and piping systems (i.e. gas, water, fire protection, and sewer systems).
• Operation and maintenance of electrical and instrument systems, such as a power distribution system, security/communication system, fire alarms, telephone wiring and computer LAN systems.
• Liaison with routine contract maintenance & supply companies regarding fire and safety, pest control and cleaning, etc.
• Ordering/receiving supplies and equipment.
• Aesthetic appearance, security, and fire protection.
• Logistics for events on church calendar (chairs/tables, lighting, acoustics, audio/video, etc)
• Emergency response during bad weather, etc.
• Other building and grounds tasks not handled by a contract service and/or church volunteers, such as the replacement of ceiling light bulbs, returning premises to a neat and orderly state following services and events, disposal of rubbish, and running any local errands or trips that are needed by the church.

References