The Verger from a Historical Perspective

The office of Verger has roots in the Anglican Church as far back as the 16th century in the great cathedrals of England. The verger was not an ordained minister, but a member of the laity who assisted the clergy in public worship, especially in organizing and leading processions.

the late Albert Lander, Head Verger 1995-2005

In those times vergers were responsible for guarding the clergy during public processions, upkeep of the church building, preparations for the liturgy and grave-digging [an honor historically shared with sextons]. The verger's vestments were designed in a manner to allow the verger to carry on their person the books and vessels needed for the celebration of the Mass. The clergy and others assisting in the worship service would gather at an appointed spot in the town and be led by the verger to the cathedral. The verger carried a staff called a "verge" which would be used to clear the path ahead. The verge or "mace" (as it is sometimes called) could also be used as a weapon to fend off people who were not very fond of the clergy. During the early days when the struggle for church property between Rome and England was at it's height, the clergy were not popular and would have to be protected when out among the general population. Once at the cathedral, the verge was useful in clearing a path through the nave to the sanctuary where the mass was celebrated. In those days, the main part of the cathedral served as marketplace and public square, so a path needed to be cleared in order to reach the sanctuary. Some claim that communion rails were originally installed in churches to keep people and animals out of the sanctuary where the altar was located.

The Verger from a Current Perspective

It is said there is a verger in every congregation, whether one has been identified as such or not. The verger may be a paid member of the church staff or a volunteer from within the church community. Duties may be purely ceremonial or may include other key responsibilities such as church administration, head of the worship committee, head of the building and grounds committee or sexton.

Albert teaching kids about gardening

Today the office of verger is experiencing a rapid expansion within the Episcopal Church. Differing from the Church of England, where vergers are often full-time paid employees of the church, American vergers are more often than not volunteers with a special calling to the ordering and conduct of the church's liturgy. Clergy throughout the Episcopal Church have come to appreciate the ministry of vergers. Vergers can relieve the clergy of the burden of liturgical detail so that they can concentrate on their priestly duties to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments. No longer found primarily in cathedrals and large parishes, vergers are a presence in any worshipping community that has an active parish program.

Vergers at Grace Cathedral

Here at the cathedral there are two categories of vergers; paid staff vergers and volunteer ceremonial vergers. Staff vergers perform the daily duties of making preparations for all services of public worship, maintaining the security and care of the cathedral close, conducting services of public worship, set up for all classes, meetings and Cathedral School functions held in the cathedral building or the McBean Chapter House. The cathedral's ceremonial vergers lead processions during, and assist with clean up after, principal cathedral and diocesan services.

Charles Shipley III Assistant Verger, 1988-1993, 1999-present

Here at Grace Cathedral there are two full-time vergers and one weekend assistant verger who are members of the paid staff, plus six ceremonial vergers. The cathedral's head verger is the only verger that is formally inducted into the office of verger. A public service called "the Installation of the Head Verger" is held, at which the new verger commits him/herself to the ministry of hospitality of the cathedral church. This ministry of hospitality is not just hospitality to the pilgrim or visitor coming to the cathedral but it is also hospitality to the resident congregation that call Grace Cathedral their spiritual home, all those who work on the cathedral Close, volunteers that support the cathedral's programs, and the clergy who volunteer their services to support the daily worship life of the Cathedral. The vergers perform this hospitality by ensuring that the Cathedral is always a clean, safe, welcoming place for private and public spiritual enrichment.

Head Vergers of Grace Cathedral

The office of verger is not a new concept here at Grace Cathedral. There have been vergers serving this cathedral since 1956. Over the decades eight people had held the position of Head Verger with one person serving in this capacity twice.

The current head verger in addition to his regular duties also serves as co-ministry leader of the Cathedral Flower Guild and founded as well as serves as co-ministry leader of the Grace Cathedral Garden Society which maintains the many gardens around the cathedral close. If you would like more information about being a verger or about Grace Cathedral's vergers please contact the Canon Sacrist.

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