Parish

A parish is a geographically defined administrative unit, typically within a specific religious denomination. It denotes the area served by a particular church and its associated clergy, and is often a community with its own church building. Historically, parishes played crucial roles in social, political, and administrative functions, including record-keeping, relief efforts for the poor, and local governance. Nowadays, parishes are still active community centers, providing religious services, charitable outreach, and opportunities for social interaction within their boundaries.

Parish meaning with examples

• The small, rural parish was the heart of the community, hosting weekly services and numerous social events. The vicar organized charitable drives to aid the less fortunate within the parish bounds, reflecting the strong sense of neighborly responsibility that defined their community.
• Researchers studying historical records often examined parish registers to find birth, marriage, and death information, giving a clear picture of societal changes and how these records documented the demographic shifts within each parish.
• Many towns trace their local governance back to the original parish structure, where church officials often held significant power over the community, with some decisions still made within the existing parish boundaries.
• Despite growing secularism, the parish church remained a focal point for celebrating life's milestones within the parish, from christenings to weddings, fostering a sense of belonging within the community.