Local church districts under the care of a single priest or minister. In some areas, also refers to civil administrative divisions equivalent to counties.
From Old French 'paroisse' from Latin 'parochia' from Greek 'paroikia' meaning 'dwelling beside'. Originally referred to a community of Christians living near a church.
Louisiana is the only U.S. state that uses 'parishes' instead of 'counties' for its administrative divisions, a legacy of its French and Spanish colonial heritage. These civil parishes often still follow the boundaries of old Catholic church parishes established centuries ago.
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