St. Patrick Church turns 100, earns praise from community

2In those 10 decades, the church has built a solid reputation as a beacon for spiritual development and a focal point for inner-city development.

What’s more, St.Patrick’s and its robust membership admirably have bucked the troubling trend of Catholic-church flight outside of decaying urban areas.

In recognition of its rich history, The Vindicator joins Youngstown Diocesan Bishop George V. Murry, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and countless other leaders and groups in the city and the Mahoning Valley in congratulating the stalwart parish for reaching this milestone.

Formal anniversary observances begin Sunday with an anniversary Mass at 10 a.m. led by Bishop Murry at the stately sanctuary at 1420 Oak Hill Ave.

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., YSO Conductor Randall Craig Fleischer will lead the orchestra in an anniversary concert at the church. It will feature musical selections representative of various eras of the church’s life.

ABOUT THE CHURCH

Cleveland Diocese Bishop John P. Farrelly established St. Patrick’s Church on May 24, 1911, and its current Gothic-style edifice with 74 brilliant and ornate stained-glass windows was dedicated in 1926. Over the years, it has undergone several substantial renovations, including many major improvements under its current spiritual leader, the Rev. Edward Noga.

Father Noga, who has led the parish longer than any other pastor in St. Pat’s history — since 1985 — merits special commendation for his aggressive push to keep the church actively engaged in positive community change.

As Pat Kerrigan, a longtime St. Pat’s member, puts it, “Father Noga promotes Christian social action, and we buy into it.”

The results have been impressive. The church has bought dozens of blighted properties in the lower South Side neighborhood and has transformed them into viable housing, green spaces and public parks.

History of service

Members routinely volunteer and donate to myriad community groups such as the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen. The church’s Holy Rollers make 2,000 meatballs monthly for their zesty spaghetti dinners that raise funds for community service organizations. And St. Pat’s is an active leader in the Valleywide multi-denominational coalition known as ACTION — Alliance for Congregational Transformation In Our Neighborhoods.

As St. Patrick parishioners gather this week and throughout the year to commemorate a past steeped in pride, they can also take heart in knowing their commitment to transforming Christian principles into community action will keep the church on solid footing for years and decades to come.