Parish - GCSE History Definition

A parish is an area that has its own church and priest. It is the basic administrative unit of the Church of England. In history, particularly during medieval times, parishes played an important role in daily life. The local churches not only served as places for worship but also helped organise community activities and provided support for people in need. The parish priests would preside over key events like baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Parishes were also responsible for keeping records of these events, which makes them important sources of information for historians studying the past. In the context of GCSE History, understanding the role of parishes helps to explain how religion and community were closely linked in historical societies.