About Cathedral of Saint Patrick · El Paso, Texas
The Cathedral of Saint Patrick is the mother church and seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso, located at 1118 N. Mesa Street in downtown El Paso, Texas. Designed in 1914 by the St. Louis architectural firm Barnett, Haynes & Barnett in a Byzantine-Romanesque style and constructed of brick and Carrara marble, it was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1917. The cathedral is notable as the only Catholic church in the world where a canonized saint — San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado — was ordained (January 25, 1918), and it houses an urn with his relics donated by the Archdiocese of Chihuahua in 2018.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Very Rev. James Marcus McFadin, D.Min. (Rector)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso
Why belong here
St. Patrick Cathedral serves as both the spiritual heart of downtown El Paso and the mother church of the diocese — a place where you can worship in a historically significant, art-filled setting, pray before the relics of a canonized Mexican martyr, and find a home in any of three languages (English, Spanish, and Vietnamese). Its ministries span every age and stage — children's faith formation, a high school youth group, the bilingual Viva Cristo Rey men's group, the Guadalupana Society, faith sharing, marriage preparation, music, lectors, hospitality, altar servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion — and the parish school (Pre-K through 8th grade, ~450 students) and the adjacent Cathedral High School keep multiple generations rooted in the parish family. Adoration on the first Friday and the first Saturday, daily bilingual Mass, and a richly bilingual liturgical life make it a true community of cultures gathered around the historic altar.
Mass times at Cathedral of Saint Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday of every month, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, followed by Mass at 12:10 PM (per the official parish site)
- First Friday of each month after the 7:00 AM Mass, with Mass to follow at 5:15 PM (catholicmasstime.org listing)
- First Saturday of each month, 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM (catholicmasstime.org listing)
History of St. Patrick Cathedral
Plans for a larger Catholic church in El Paso originated in 1908 at Holy Family Parish, and by the early 1910s a $150,000 fundraising drive was underway. Mrs. Delia Lane's $10,000 donation in December 1913 won the naming contest, which the Daughters of Erin resolved in favor of St. Patrick. Fr. Edward Barry, S.J., bought the Mesa and Arizona site for $20,000 in February 1914; the cornerstone was laid on July 31, 1914, and the new Diocese of El Paso was erected by Pope Pius X just weeks earlier on April 3, 1914. Bishop Anthony J. Schuler, S.J., the diocese's first bishop, designated the still-unfinished church as his cathedral, and it was formally dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1917. Major subsequent milestones include the 1929 installation of Emil Frei stained glass, the 1988 lightning-strike renovation, the 2000 canonization of San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado, the 2002 donation of a 300-year-old Our Lady of Guadalupe painting, the 2018 donation of the saint's relics by the Archdiocese of Chihuahua, and the $6 million renovation announced in 2025.
- Cornerstone laid July 31, 1914 (feast of St. Ignatius Loyola)
- Diocese of El Paso erected April 3, 1914 by Pope Pius X
- Dedicated as cathedral on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1917
- San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado ordained here January 25, 1918
- Stained-glass windows installed 1929 (Emil Frei Art Glass Co.)
- 1988 lightning strike destroyed steeple and original pipe organ
- Post-Vatican II renovation completed at a cost of approximately $660,000
- Relics of San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado received from the Archdiocese of Chihuahua in 2018
- $6 million renovation project announced by the diocese in September 2025
Architecture and Interior
Designed by the St. Louis firm of Barnett, Haynes & Barnett and built by Kroeger, Mayfield and Shaw of El Paso, the cathedral is built of brick and Carrara marble in a Byzantine-Romanesque blend, with an Italian Renaissance basilica plan. The interior is finished in golden oak with polished-oak floors and seats about 720–800 worshippers. Roman columns, elaborate frescoes of biblical scenes and Stations of the Cross carved in bas-relief adorn the walls. The 27-foot main altar (baldachino) is built of six different marbles with Venetian red and gold mosaic, sheltering an eight-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and topped by a gold eagle.
- Twenty Emil Frei stained-glass windows depicting the life of Christ
- 27-foot main altar using six marbles (Numidian red, Brown Sienna, Champville yellow, Blanco P. white, black, Sylvan green)
- Eight-foot Sacred Heart of Jesus statue under the altar canopy
- Life-size classical sculpture of St. Patrick in an alcove
- More-than-300-year-old Our Lady of Guadalupe painting from Zacatecas (donated 2002)
- Chapel of Repose with tabernacle and sacrament-themed stained glass by Griffin Studios of Ruidoso
Stained-Glass Windows
The original glass windows were replaced in 1929 by twenty custom-made stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Christ, from his birth to his resurrection. The windows were manufactured by the Emil Frei Art Glass Company of St. Louis, Missouri (and Munich, Germany), a firm founded in 1898 by Bavarian-born Emil Frei Sr., using mouth-blown antique glass from Germany. Each window was donated by an individual parishioner in memory of a family member or friend.
- Twenty west-to-east narrative windows
- Custom-made by Emil Frei Art Glass Co. of St. Louis
- Mouth-blown antique German glass
Pipe Organ
The original pipe organ was built by George Gilgen & Sons of St. Louis at a cost of $7,000. With 2,500 pipes and an electrical mechanism, it was praised for its 'marvelous tone.' It was completely destroyed by water damage when lightning struck the steeple on May 17, 1988, and was replaced as part of the cathedral's post-Vatican II renovation.
Renovation (1988–early 1990s)
The lightning strike of May 17, 1988 destroyed the steeple and pipe organ and damaged the interior, forcing the diocese to move ahead with a long-planned renovation to bring the cathedral into compliance with the Second Vatican Council. The sanctuary was enlarged by removing a portion of the communion rail; the bishop's and priest's chairs were reoriented to face the congregation; a new permanent altar and ambo (incorporating a section of the old altar rail) were installed; and accessibility, sound and plaza improvements were made. Total cost: about $660,000.
- Steeple rebuilt after lightning fire
- Pipe organ replaced
- Sanctuary enlarged, altar and ambo installed
- Handicapped-accessible entrance added
- New sound system and gathering plaza at the top of the entrance steps
San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado — A Saint Ordained Here
St. Patrick Cathedral has the singular privilege of being the only Catholic church in the world where a canonized saint was ordained. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado was born in Chihuahua on June 15, 1892, and was forced to complete his seminary formation in El Paso after the Mexican government closed his seminary. Bishop Anthony J. Schuler, S.J., ordained him a priest at St. Patrick's on January 25, 1918, and he returned to Mexico to minister. During the 1926–1937 religious persecution, Maldonado was hunted by government agents; on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 1937, he was arrested, severely beaten (his skull was fractured and an eye displaced), and was handed a Consecrated Host in mockery — fulfilling his prayer the night before that he be allowed to receive Communion before death. He died the next day, February 11, 1937, in Chihuahua City, on the 19th anniversary of his first solemn Mass. Pope John Paul II beatified him on November 22, 1992, and canonized him on May 21, 2000. He is a patron of the clergy of the Diocese of El Paso and of the Knights of Columbus. In 2018, on the 100th anniversary of his ordination, the Archdiocese of Chihuahua donated a wooden urn containing some of his relics to St. Patrick's for veneration.
- Ordained at St. Patrick's on January 25, 1918 by Bishop Schuler, S.J.
- Martyred February 11, 1937 in Chihuahua City, Mexico
- Beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 22, 1992
- Canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 21, 2000
- Relics donated by the Archdiocese of Chihuahua in 2018
- Patron of the clergy of the Diocese of El Paso and of the Knights of Columbus
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy as altar servers (boys, girls and adults who have made their First Communion), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (some of whom also bring Communion to the homebound and to area nursing homes), lectors, ministers of hospitality, and wedding coordinators. The Altar Society — men and women of the parish — cares for the altar, sanctuary, vestments and seasonal decoration. Training and ongoing formation are offered through the Tepeyac Institute, the diocesan center for the formation of ministers.
- Altar Servers / Monaguillos
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (with homebound and nursing-home outreach)
- Lectors / Lectores
- Ministers of Hospitality / Hospitalidad
- Wedding Coordinators
- Altar Society
Music Ministry
Music plays an integral role in worship at the cathedral. There is a choir for each Mass, composed of volunteer parishioners of all ages who share their vocal and instrumental talents. The Music Ministry supports the prayer of the assembly at weekly celebrations and on special feasts throughout the year and is always seeking additional singers.
- Choirs serving each Mass
- Singers and instrumentalists of all ages
- Special music for feasts and liturgical seasons
Marriage Preparation Ministry
Sponsor couples prepare engaged couples for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony through a series of classes, helping them deepen their readiness for married life and to grow in understanding of themselves as individuals and as a couple.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish offers Religious Formation for children and youth, plus an Adult Sacramental Program for adults 18+ who have left high school and need preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism (if not baptized as an infant), First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion. The parish school (Pre-K through 8) prepares second-graders for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist and integrates faith formation into every school day, including weekly Thursday Mass at 8:30 AM, rosary during Advent and Lent, and a Buddy program that pairs 8th-graders with pre-schoolers.
- Children's faith formation and youth catechesis
- Adult Sacramental Program (RCIA-style)
- Contact: Rosa Thorpe — [email protected]
- St. Patrick School Pre-K through 8th grade (≈450 students)
Youth, Prayer and Bible Study Groups
The parish hosts a high-school St. Patrick Youth Group that meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM in the Ministry Building for service projects, education activities and social gatherings. The adult Faith Sharing Group meets weekly for coffee, prayer and discussion of Scripture, liturgical-year themes, and Church teaching. Grupo de Oración y Biblia 'Viva Cristo Rey' is a Spanish-language men's prayer group that meets Wednesdays 6:00–8:30 PM in the Ministry Building to study the faith and serve the community.
- St. Patrick Youth Group — high school, Wednesdays 6:30–8:30 PM
- Faith Sharing Group — adult Scripture study
- Viva Cristo Rey — Spanish-language men's prayer group, Wednesdays 6:00–8:30 PM
Guadalupana Society
The Guadalupana Society promotes devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Members meet monthly, raise funds, pray the Rosary during May when possible, and host the parish's December 12 festivities for Our Lady of Guadalupe, including community prayer, song and food sales.
- Hosts December 12 feast for Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Monthly meetings and fundraising events
- May Rosary devotion encouraged
Parish Staff and Clergy
The cathedral is pastored by Very Rev. James Marcus McFadin, D.Min., as Rector, with Rev. Alfonso Coronado serving as Parochial Vicar. They are assisted by Deacons Andy (Andres) Ruvalcaba and Karl Twichell. The parish team also includes Mrs. Edna N. Rocha (Office Manager), Ms. Martha Briseño (Safe Environment Coordinator), Mr. John Rieschick (Principal of St. Patrick School), and Mrs. Flor De La Garza (Director of Music). The cathedral is also the seat of the diocese: the diocesan bishop is Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, D.D., with Most Rev. Anthony C. Celino, D.D., J.C.L., serving as the first Auxiliary Bishop of El Paso.
- Very Rev. James Marcus McFadin, D.Min. — Rector
- Rev. Alfonso Coronado — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Andy Ruvalcaba
- Deacon Karl Twichell
- Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, D.D. — Bishop of El Paso
- Most Rev. Anthony C. Celino, D.D., J.C.L. — Auxiliary Bishop
- Mrs. Edna N. Rocha — Office Manager
- Ms. Martha Briseño — Safe Environment Coordinator
- Mr. John Rieschick — Principal, St. Patrick School
- Mrs. Flor De La Garza — Director of Music
St. Patrick Cathedral School
Opened by the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross in 1923 with 220 students in grades 1–7, St. Patrick School moved to its present site in 1938 and has been led by lay leadership since 1976. Today it serves approximately 450 students from Pre-K through 8th grade. Students gather weekly for Thursday morning Mass at 8:30 AM with the parish, prepare for the sacraments in 2nd grade (First Reconciliation and First Eucharist), participate in the altar-server ministry beginning in 3rd grade, and engage in year-round service to the wider community. Families commit to at least 20 hours of volunteer service per year.
- Pre-K through 8th grade, enrollment ≈450
- Opened 1923 by the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross
- First lay principal appointed 1976
- Weekly Thursday school Mass at 8:30 AM
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade
- Altar-server training beginning in 3rd grade
- 20-hour annual family service commitment
Visiting the Cathedral
The cathedral is open for visits from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. Visitors are welcome to pray privately or to view the architecture, art and relics: the Roman columns and frescoes, the Stations of the Cross in bas-relief, the 27-foot marble baldachino with its eight-foot Sacred Heart of Jesus and golden eagle, the twenty Emil Frei stained-glass windows, the 300-year-old Our Lady of Guadalupe painting from Zacatecas, and the reliquary urn of San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado.
- Visiting hours 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Handicapped-accessible entrance
- Relics of San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado venerated on site
2025 Renovation Project
In September 2025 the Diocese of El Paso announced a $6 million renovation project at St. Patrick Cathedral to address structural problems and to upgrade the HVAC, lighting, sound and electrical systems.
- $6 million project announced by the Diocese of El Paso, September 2025
- Scope: structural repairs, HVAC, lighting, sound, electrical
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward Barry, S.J.1913–1915
Pastor of Immaculate Conception who led the campaign to build a new church, chose the cathedral site at Mesa and Arizona (purchased Feb 1914), broke ground April 1914 and laid the cornerstone July 31, 1914.
- Most Rev. Anthony J. Schuler, S.J.1915–1942
First Bishop of El Paso (appointed by Pope Benedict XV in June 1915); designated the unfinished St. Patrick Church as his cathedral and formally dedicated it on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1917.