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St. Patrick Church
"St. Patrick Parish is a diverse Catholic Community worshipping, teaching and serving in the name of Jesus that we may share and enjoy God's salvation now and forever."
Through our heritage we develop our values in life. The founding members of St. Patrick Church dedicated their lives to building a Christian community which has served as a foundation for the many individuals who followed. The spirit of our forebearers continues to be an inspiration to each generation.It is our desire to pass on to future generations the same dedication which has always been the way of life in this community.
The first Mass of record was in 1849 in a large boarding house at the northwest corner of Second and Walnut Streets. From the spring of 1849 to 1851, Mass was said in London, mostly at three-month intervals, by several priests from various churches from surrounding areas. Born in Ireland, Fr. Maurice Howard was the first priest to administer regularly to the spiritual needs of the London area people. Mass was celebrated monthly in the private homes of different Irish families.
Fr. William Clark served the parish for 17 years from 1925 until his death in 1942. Fr. Clark was part of St. Patrick Parish's long history of ministry to prisoners which continues to this day. Fr. Clark was Chaplain of the London Prison Farm for 14 years and spent countless hours with the poor, hungry, and elderly people during the Depression.
After being in the Cincinnati Archdiocese since its beginning, St. Patrick Parish was transferred to the Columbus Diocese in 1945, during the pastorate of Fr. David Powers. A notable accomplishment of Fr. Edward Reidy was the building of the current St Patrick School (1957-58) and a new convent for the Sisters of Mercy (1958). Fr. Reidy was the first pastor to provide school transportation, buying two used school buses in 1958.
Fr. Healey succeeded Fr. Reidy in 1964. Fr. Healey began implementing the goals of the Second Vatican Council on November 29,1964, by celebrating the parish's first Mass with the celebrant facing the congregation. That was also the date, throughout the United States, when the Mass was said in English for the first time.
The Sisters of Mercy, after many years of service to the school and parish, left in 1980 because of lack of vocations.
Fr. Romano Ciotola, known as "Fr. Romano,' served St. Patrick Parish from 1976 to 1987. He initiated Eucharistic Ministers to assist with the distribution of Communion at Mass and to shut-ins. He also called together church and community leaders to establish a food pantry known today as "Madison County Food Pantry." During the pastorate of Fr. Donald Maroon a major accomplishment was the construction of St. Patrick Parish Center. Groundbreaking was held on November 9,1997. The building was dedicated by Bishop James A. Griffin on January 10, 1999.
Our current pastor is Fr. Theodore K. Sill. Former Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Columbus, Fr. Sill started his first assignment as a pastor here at St. Patrick parish in July, 1999. Among his achievements is the restructuring of Parish Council and one of his goals is to promote even greater involvement of parish members. Throughout our parish history there have been many pastors, members and changes, as we evolve in becoming one in the body of Christ.
Through our heritage we develop our values in life. The founding members of St. Patrick Church dedicated their lives to building a Christian community which has served as a foundation for the many individuals who followed. The spirit of our forebearers continues to be an inspiration to each generation.It is our desire to pass on to future generations the same dedication which has always been the way of life in this community.
The first Mass of record was in 1849 in a large boarding house at the northwest corner of Second and Walnut Streets. From the spring of 1849 to 1851, Mass was said in London, mostly at three-month intervals, by several priests from various churches from surrounding areas. Born in Ireland, Fr. Maurice Howard was the first priest to administer regularly to the spiritual needs of the London area people. Mass was celebrated monthly in the private homes of different Irish families.
Fr. William Clark served the parish for 17 years from 1925 until his death in 1942. Fr. Clark was part of St. Patrick Parish's long history of ministry to prisoners which continues to this day. Fr. Clark was Chaplain of the London Prison Farm for 14 years and spent countless hours with the poor, hungry, and elderly people during the Depression.
After being in the Cincinnati Archdiocese since its beginning, St. Patrick Parish was transferred to the Columbus Diocese in 1945, during the pastorate of Fr. David Powers. A notable accomplishment of Fr. Edward Reidy was the building of the current St Patrick School (1957-58) and a new convent for the Sisters of Mercy (1958). Fr. Reidy was the first pastor to provide school transportation, buying two used school buses in 1958.
Fr. Healey succeeded Fr. Reidy in 1964. Fr. Healey began implementing the goals of the Second Vatican Council on November 29,1964, by celebrating the parish's first Mass with the celebrant facing the congregation. That was also the date, throughout the United States, when the Mass was said in English for the first time.
The Sisters of Mercy, after many years of service to the school and parish, left in 1980 because of lack of vocations.
Fr. Romano Ciotola, known as "Fr. Romano,' served St. Patrick Parish from 1976 to 1987. He initiated Eucharistic Ministers to assist with the distribution of Communion at Mass and to shut-ins. He also called together church and community leaders to establish a food pantry known today as "Madison County Food Pantry." During the pastorate of Fr. Donald Maroon a major accomplishment was the construction of St. Patrick Parish Center. Groundbreaking was held on November 9,1997. The building was dedicated by Bishop James A. Griffin on January 10, 1999.
Our current pastor is Fr. Theodore K. Sill. Former Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Columbus, Fr. Sill started his first assignment as a pastor here at St. Patrick parish in July, 1999. Among his achievements is the restructuring of Parish Council and one of his goals is to promote even greater involvement of parish members. Throughout our parish history there have been many pastors, members and changes, as we evolve in becoming one in the body of Christ.