parish

Everyday

1. (church) A parish is an area that has its own church and priest or vicar, and the people who live there. tree →
2. (UK, local government) A parish is a small area, often a village, with its own local council called a parish council. tree →
3. (church) The parish can mean all the people who belong to a church. tree →

In the lessons

In church life and RE, the parish priest looks after the parish; there are parish halls, parish newsletters and parish fêtes. In UK history and geography, old records list births and marriages in parish registers. In Louisiana, USA, a parish is like a county. Phrases: «parish church», «parish priest», «parish council», «parish hall».

Examples

• Our parish church is the oldest building in the village. tree →
• The parish priest visits people who are ill. tree →
• The parish hall is used for Brownies and toddler groups. tree →
• The whole parish came to the summer fête. tree →
• The parish council voted to build a new playground. tree →
• Old parish registers help us find out about our ancestors. tree →
• He went first to the priest, and asked him about the children in his parish. tree →

Note

Plural: parishes. Adjective «parochial» (of a parish; also, narrow-minded). A person who belongs to a parish is a «parishioner». Do not confuse with «perish» (to die).