The congregation of ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH on Rocky River Dr. in Cleveland was organized in 1848 (when the area was known as Rockport), one year after the Diocese of Cleveland was established. Masses were said in homes until a frame church was built in 1854. Cathedral priests ministered in the early years, including Bp. AMADEUS RAPPE. A cemetery adjacent to the church was established in 1861, and a school was added to the church in 1864.
The existing stone church was completed in 1898 and features Gothic and Norman style elements, including a large square tower. The first resident pastor was Rev. William McMahon, who served from 1911-15. A parish house was constructed in 1912, and school buildings were added in 1916 and 1930. By 1933 the church had grown from its original parish of only 40 families to a membership of 400 families.
The WORLD WAR II economy brought industry to the area, and the size of the congregation doubled. In 1951-52 the church was partially rebuilt as well as remodelled on the interior. The roof and some of the walls of the church were removed as part of the project and the church length doubled, which allowed the seating capacity to be doubled to 900. Ward and Conrad were the architects for these changes. The first mass was said in the rebuilt church on Christmas Eve, 1952. A school addition was dedicated in 1960.
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