A Precentor is a person, usually a clergy member, who is in charge of preparing worship services. This position is usually held in a large church, and is typically used in the churches of the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is a world-wide organization of Anglican Churches. ...
Precentors usually lived in the church buildings, were allowed to farm a portion (approx one-third to one-half) of the church lands, and were entitled to one-third of the customary payments made by parish members.
precentors were sometimes ordained as deacons or priests, particularly during the period when theological training was lax.
precentors; their schools operated in parallel with the state schools established at the end of the 18th century.
According to the twelfth century customary of the Order the precentor stood in the right-hand side of the choir, on the same side as the abbot, presumably this meant he was facing the High Altar, standing in the place now occupied by the Dean in a modern cathedral.
The precentor’s office could be stressful and in the early thirteenth century Matthew of Rievaulx repeatedly complained of the burdens of this job and the impact on his health – having led the night office for a month he suffered exhaustion and insomnia, and quite literally felt that he was falling apart.
The precentor was helped in his duties by the succentor (subcantor).
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