Sexton
(noun)
A person responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a church or graveyard, including ringing the bells and digging graves.
Origin:
Derived from the old english word 'segistan', meaning 'to care for sacred objects'.
Examples:
- The sexton was responsible for unlocking the church each morning and making sure it was ready for services.
- The sexton was known for his meticulous care of the graves in the cemetery, and would spend hours tending to them.
- The sexton was also in charge of ringing the church bells, which served as a call to worship and marked the passage of time.
- The sexton was a familiar figure in the community, often seen walking to and from the church with his tools and supplies.
- The sexton was proud of his work and the role he played in maintaining the history and tradition of the church and cemetery.