Vestry effect what would today usually be called a parochial church council, but was also responsible for all the secular parish business now dealt with by civil bodies, such as parish councils. Eventually, the vestry assumed a variety of tasks. It became responsible for appointing parish officials, such as the parish clerk, overseers of the poor, sextons and scavengers, constables and nightwatchmen. At the high point of their powers, just prior to removal of Poor Law responsibilities in 1834, the vestries spent not far short of one-fifth of the budget of the national government itself. More than 15,600 ecclesiastical parish vestries
Kensington Vestry Hall Kensington Vestry Hall The Kensington Vestry Hall is a historic building on Kensington High Street in Kensington, London, England. It houses Bank Melli Iran. The Kensington Vestry Hall was built by Thomas Corby in 1852. It was designed by architect James Broadbridge. Its construction was met with dismay by ratepayers, who complained about the outlandish railings. They were finally removed in 1880. From 1889 to 1960, the building housed the Kensington Central Library. It was dedicated by Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll in November 1889. It has been listed as Grade II by English Heritage since April 15, 1969. By