Parish - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition parish

Definition :

Parish [fr. parochia, Low Lat.; paroisse Fr., fr. porik'a Gk., habitation], the particular charge of a secular priest. Parochia est locus quo degit populus aliujus ecclesi'. 5 Co.--(A parish is a place in which the people of a particular church reside.) It is that circuit of ground which is committed to the care of one parson or vicar, or other minister having cure of souls therein, 1 Bl. Com. 111. An extended definition of 'parish' for ecclesiastical purposes is given in para. 1 of the Schedule to the Representation of the Laity Measure, 1929 (19 & 20 Geo. 5, No. 2). As to the origin of parishes, see ibid.; 2 Hallam's Mid. Ages, c. vii, pt. 1, p. 144.

The Rating and Valuation Act, 1925 (15 & 16 Geo. 5, c. 90), s. 68 (4), defines a parish 'a place for which immediately before the 1st April, 1927, a separate poor rate was or could be made, or a separate overseer was or could be appointed.