Parishes

Parish is a term used for a named geographic area that originated as a church district and, in many regions, developed into a civil administrative unit. The word comes from Old French paroisse, via Latin parochia and Greek paroikía, historically referring to a community living near a church. Parishes can function as ecclesiastical jurisdictions, civil communities, or both, and boundaries often overlap with other local divisions.

Ecclesiastical parishes are church jurisdictions serving a local congregation, typically led by a priest, pastor, or rector. Boundaries are usually defined by historical church administration and may extend beyond town or village limits. They organize sacraments, religious education, and parish life.

Civil parishes, where they exist, are the smallest units of local government in parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. In England and Wales they may elect parish councils or be managed as part of larger district authorities; responsibilities commonly include maintenance of community facilities, local amenities, and representing parish concerns in planning and public services. Civil parish boundaries often follow historical church parishes but may be adjusted for administrative reasons. In Scotland, civil parishes are now mainly ceremonial or statistical units rather than active local government bodies.

In the United States, a notable exception is Louisiana, where "parish" is the equivalent of a county, serving as the principal civil division for local government. Elsewhere, parish usage tends to be ecclesiastical or historical, with civil parishes varying by country.