churchman

From church +‎ man. Compare kirkman and German Kirchmann.

churchman (plural churchmen)

1. (obsolete) A churchwarden. [15th–16th c.]
2. A person (originally a man) of authority in a religious organization; a cleric. [from 16th c.]

   The bishop, a highly placed churchman, stated the religion's opinion.

3. A member or adherent of an established church, especially the Church of England. [from 17th c.]
   • 1789, Olaudah Equiano, chapter 10, in The Interesting Narrative, volume I:

     I replied, ‘I attended St. James's, St. Martin's, and St. Ann's, Soho;’—‘So,’ said he, ‘you are a churchman.’

   • 1791, Joseph Priestley, Letters to Burke, V:

     Thus they say the king of Great Britain, must maintain episcopacy in England, and presbyterianism in Scotland, whether he be a presbyterian as king William, a Lutheran as George I. or a true churchman as his present Majesty.