Parish chest explained

In England and Wales, a parish chest is a wooden chest which was used for the storage of important documents relating to a parish, these would typically include the parish register of births, deaths and marriages, and other documents relating to the administration of the parish. A parish chest would usually be kept in the parish church.^{[1] [2]}

Parish chests were used from medieval times, and early ones were usually simple, constructed from a hollowed out log. In later centuries, parish chests generally became more elaborate, and incorporated features such metal bands and multiple locks.^{[1] [2]}

Further reading

• Tate, William Edward (1969), The Parish Chest: a study of the records of parochial administration in England; 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press.
• 1st ed. 1946; 2nd ed. 1951 both Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Parish Chest . 24 March 2022 . SPFH History . 12 March 2024.
2. Web site: Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Parish Chest Definition . 12 March 2024.