Section 27 Vestries appointed after the adoption of this Act to exercise the authority of former vestries.

From and after the adoption of this Act in any parish the vestry shall exercise the powers and privileges held by any vestry now existing in such parish, and the authority of such vestry may be pleaded before any justice or justices of the peace, or in any court of law, in regard to all parochial property, or moneys due, or holdings or contracts, or other documents of the like nature, formerly under the control or in the keeping of the said vestry of the said parish; and all parish officers or boards shall account to them in like manner as they have accounted to the said vestry: Provided always, that nothing in this Act shall be deemed, construed, or taken to repeal, alter, or invalidate any local Act for the government of any parish by vestries, or for the management of the poor by any board of directors and guardians, or for the due provision for divine worship within the parish, and the maintenance of the clergy officiating therein, otherwise than is by this Act expressly enacted regarding the election of vestrymen and auditors of accounts.