Rarely can history be traced to a single event at one moment in time. Rather, it is a continuing saga of small events, contributions of thoughts, ideas, dreams, and moods of many people striving to achieve commonly shared visions of a future.

Plans for St. Patrick Catholic Church had been made for some time, but the fruition of these plans did not begin until May 10, 1987. On that day, groundbreaking was held and the grounds were blessed by the late Bishop Joseph G. Vath. Our community of St. Patrick came forth from four smaller churches: St. Catherine, Pratt City (established 1881); St. Michael, Brookside (1892); Immaculate Heart of Mary, Hillview (1938); and St. Raphael, Graysville (1963). These four churches became the foundation upon which the Parish of St. Patrick was built. On January 24, 1988, the new church was dedicated.

The capacity of St. Patrick is 700, and the chapel will seat 60 to 70. Both contain furnishings from each of the merging churches as a token remembrance of the love, sacrifice, and vision in the present St. Patrick Church.

On St. Patrick's Day 1996, groundbreaking was held for our Family Life Center, and one year later, March 17, 1997, the Family Life Center opened, with ground level classrooms for religious education classes, a full-size gymnasium with walking track, and meeting rooms for the Knights of Columbus and SPIRIT Youth.

Since its origin, St. Patrick has flourished into a thriving, active parish. Because of the love and generosity of this church, the Catholic spirit continues to grow and flourish.