Category:Parish

Par"ish, n. Etym: [oe. parishe, paresche, parosche, of. paroisse, Parosse, paroiche, f. paroisse, l. parochia, corrupted fr. paroecia, Gr. vicus village. See vicinity, and cf. Parochial.]

1. (eccl. & eng. Law) (a) that circuit of ground committed to the charge of one parson or Vicar, or other minister having cure of souls therein. Cowell. (b) the same district, constituting a civil jurisdiction, with its Own officers and regulations, as respects the poor, taxes, etc.

Note: populous and extensive parishes are now divided, under various Parliamentary acts, into smaller ecclesiastical districts for Spiritual purposes. Mozley & w.

2. An ecclesiastical society, usually not bounded by territorial Limits, but composed of those persons who choose to unite under the Charge of a particular priest, clergyman, or minister; also, loosely, The territory in which the members of a congregation live. [u. S.]

3. In louisiana, a civil division corresponding to a county in other States.

Parish Par"ish, a.

Defn: of or pertaining to a parish; parochial; as, a parish church; Parish records; a parish priest; maintained by the parish; as, parish Poor. Dryden. Parish clerk. (a) the clerk or recording officer of a Parish. (b) a layman who leads in the responses and otherwise assists In the service of the church of england. -- parish court, in louisiana, a court in each parish.