Parish
/ˈpærɪʃ/
A parish is either a local church community or an administrative region, especially in religious or governmental contexts.
Examples
- The law was passed by the parish assembly last year.
- The hurricane affected several coastal parishes.
- He was baptized in that parish last spring.
- The parishes in the region were established in the 18th century.
- She volunteers at the local parish every Sunday.
Meanings
The word traces back to Greek παροικία (paroikia), which meant 'a dwelling beside' or 'a sojourner'. It evolved through Latin and Old French to denote a local church district. The religious sense developed as early Christian communities organized geographically.
Examples
- The village lies within the parish of St. Mary.
- She volunteers at the local parish every Sunday.
- The parishes in the region were established in the 18th century.
- He was baptized in that parish last spring.
- The parished communities held a joint celebration.
The civil use of 'parish' emerged in the 17th century when colonial governments in Louisiana and the Caribbean adapted the church-based division for civil governance, retaining the name but shifting its function.
Examples
- Orleans Parish includes the city of New Orleans.
- The hurricane affected several coastal parishes.
- Each parish elects a local council.
- The law was passed by the parish assembly last year.
- They moved to a rural parish in Jamaica.