Why Does Louisiana Have Parishes Instead Of Counties
Olivia Luz
The initial local divisions were organized as ecclesiastical parishes centered around churches and the system was retained and defined when louisiana was admitted to the union as a state in 1845.
On march 31 1807 the territorial legislature created 19 parishes without abolishing the existing counties which continued to exist until 1845. Louisiana was colonized by the french and spanish with considerable presence from roman catholic authorities. Originally louisiana was the territory of spain and then france both roman catholic countries and those colonial powers divided their lands according to church parish boundaries for administrative purposes. The boundaries dividing the territories generally coincided with church parishes.
The reason why louisiana does not use the term counties dates back to a bygone era and to the first settlements in this state. Catholic dioceses are divided into parishes just like states are divided into counties. At the 1811 constitutional convention of the state it was decided that louisiana should be divided into seven judicial districts each being made up of groups of parishes. We have parishes rather than counties because the earliest settlers were french catholics and partitioned off the state very much like the church allotted religious parishes hence the terminology.
The state of louisiana does not have counties as regional governments below the state level but instead has parishes. The boundaries dividing the territories generally coincided with church parishes. Through each change in her history louisiana never deviated and the primary civil divisions have been. Louisiana was officially roman catholic under both france and spain s rule.
RELATED ARTICLE :
- can you go to jail for not paying your taxes
- can you get sick from bed bugs
- can you get pregnant if your tubes are tied and clipped
By 1807 the territorial legislature created 19 parishes without technically abolishing the counties. After annexation by the united states louisiana continued to refer to administrative regions as parishes not counties. Louisiana was officially roman catholic under the rule of both france and spain. In 1807 the territorial legislature officially adopted the ecclesiastical term parish.
State of louisiana is divided into 64 parishes in the same manner that alaska is divided into boroughs and 48 other states are divided into counties. In 1807 the territorial legislature officially adopted the ecclesiastical term. Louisiana is the only state to divide itself. The only state besides louisiana not to have counties is alaska which has boroughs.
Thirty eight parishes are governed by a council called a police jury.
Source : pinterest.com