PARISH-CLERK. In every parish the parson, vicar, or curate has a parish-clerk under him, who is the lowest officer of the church. Parish-clerks were formerly clerks in orders, and their business at first was to officiate at the altar, for which they had a competent maintenance by offerings; but they are now laymen, and have certain fees at christenings, marriages, and burials, besides wages for their maintenance.