A local church community with its own church building and clergyman, or the geographical area served by such a church.
From Old French 'paroisse', from Latin 'parochia', from Greek 'paroikia' meaning dwelling beside. Originally described Christians living as temporary residents in the world, later became the administrative unit of church organization.
In Louisiana, 'parishes' are used instead of counties for government divisions, a unique legacy of French and Spanish colonial administration that persists today, making Louisiana the only U.S. state to use this ecclesiastical term for civil boundaries.
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