About Saint Patrick · Ligonier, Indiana
St. Patrick Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 300 Ravine Park Drive in Ligonier, Indiana, part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Founded in 1860, it is one of the oldest Catholic congregations in Noble County and traces its roots to a log cabin church built on land donated by John Richmond. Today the parish is a predominantly Hispanic/Latino community, offering Masses in both Spanish and English every week, along with daily confessions and Eucharistic adoration. Roughly 400 families are registered, with summer swelling the congregation by visitors to the nearby lakes.
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Ryan Timossi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a small but deeply rooted parish where the Eucharist truly is the center of community life, with daily Mass, abundant confession times, and Eucharistic adoration built into the week. The congregation welcomes English- and Spanish-speaking families side by side — the parish's bilingual Mass schedule, CCD program for over 200 children in both languages, and annual parish bazaar make it easy to belong whether you are a long-time Ligonier family or a summer visitor to the nearby lakes. With ministries ranging from choir and altar service to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and visiting the homebound, there is room for every talent to be put to work.
Mass times at Saint Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:20 PM – 5:50 PM
- Wednesday: 5:20 PM – 5:50 PM
- Thursday: 5:20 PM – 5:50 PM
- Friday: 5:20 PM – 5:50 PM
- Saturday: 5:50 PM – 6:20 PM
- Sunday: 7:20 AM – 7:50 AM
- Sunday: 9:50 AM – 10:20 AM
- Sunday: 12:35 PM – 12:50 PM
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration for 45 minutes before every Mass
- Thursdays: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
History of St. Patrick Parish
St. Patrick's was founded in 1860 under Bishop John Henry Luers of Fort Wayne, first meeting in the home of Henry Zonker for about seven families before moving into a log cabin on land donated by John Richmond on what is now North Martin Street. It served as a mission church, with a priest riding in from Kendallville each Sunday aboard a small train called 'The Plug.' The first resident pastor, Father George Lauer, arrived in 1897; he was followed in 1899 by Father John Francis Noll, who later became Bishop of Fort Wayne. In 1934 the parish purchased the Strauss Estate and Bishop Noll invited the Oblate Fathers, who worshiped in the renovated carriage house — still called 'The Stable' — until the present church was built in 1966–67. The 150th anniversary was celebrated with Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades on August 15, 2010.
- 1860: parish founded as a log cabin mission on North Martin Street
- 1877: Father Dueling adds two rear rooms for overnight stays
- 1897: Father George Lauer becomes first resident pastor
- 1899: Father John Francis Noll becomes pastor (later Bishop of Fort Wayne)
- 1930: under Father Ehrman, church debt is paid off
- 1934: Strauss Estate purchased; Oblate Fathers arrive
- 1945: original log church property sold
- 1966–67: present church built on Ravine Park Drive, first Mass Christmas Eve 1967
- 1969: Oblate Fathers return to Massachusetts; Msgr. Arthur MacDonald takes over
- 1979: Kenney Foundation grant funds CCD classrooms
- 1993: first bilingual Mass celebrated by Father Dale Bauman
- 2010: 150th anniversary Mass with Bishop Rhoades
Parish Mission & Identity
The parish's stated mission is to be 'a Catholic community committed to Jesus Christ, nourished by the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit... reaching out, welcoming and embracing all people of all cultures.' That bilingual, welcoming character is visible in everything from the Mass schedule to the CCD program, which serves more than 200 children in both English and Spanish.
Bilingual Worship
The parish began offering bilingual liturgies on October 31, 1993 under Father Dale Bauman. Today roughly 90–95 percent of parishioners are Hispanic/Latino, and the Sunday schedule reflects that — three of the four weekend Masses are in Spanish.
- Languages celebrated: English and Spanish
- Sunday English Mass: 10:30 AM
- Most other weekend and daily Masses in Spanish
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
Faith formation is described on the parish website as 'a vital element of the Catholic life,' available to children and adults alike. The CCD program is the parish's largest outreach: more than 200 children attend classes taught in both English and Spanish. Classes have moved over the years from the former church across the street (renovated in 1979 with a Kenney Foundation grant) into classrooms within the current church building on Ravine Park Drive.
- Director: Mirna Maria Rodriguez ([email protected])
- Over 200 children enrolled
- Classes offered in English and Spanish
- 1979: original log-church building converted to CCD classrooms
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. Patrick's invites parishioners to put their gifts to work in a wide range of liturgical, social-justice, and fellowship ministries. The parish website emphasizes that 'God calls us to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him and make life better for other people.'
- Liturgical: Choir, Lectors, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Social justice: visiting the homebound, serving the poor, food-pantry volunteering
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Youth Ministry / Youth Group (Omar Nunoz)
- Men's and women's parish groups
- Annual Parish Bazaar
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at St. Patrick's is directed by Alma Rodriguez. Volunteer choir members, cantors, and instrumentalists lead the congregation at Masses in both English and Spanish.
- Music Director: Alma Rodriguez ([email protected])
- Choir members and cantors support English and Spanish Masses
Bulletin & Communications
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin available at Mass and online at stpatrickligonier.org/bulletin. Communications for the parish are handled by Omar Nunoz, who also directs the Youth Group.
- Online bulletin: stpatrickligonier.org/bulletin
- Director of Communications: Omar Nunoz
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM by phone at (260) 894-4946 or by email at [email protected]. The parish encourages regular reading of the weekly bulletin and checking the parish calendar for the most up-to-date events and Mass times.
- Address: 300 Ravine Park Drive, Ligonier, IN 46767
- Phone: (260) 894-4946
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Website: https://www.stpatrickligonier.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Dueling1877
Added two rear rooms to the log church for priest overnight stays.
- Fr. George Lauer1897
First resident priest of the parish.
- Fr. John Francis Noll1899
Succeeded Fr. Lauer; later became Bishop of the Fort Wayne Diocese.
- Fr. Ehrman1930
Freed the church from debt during his pastorate.
- Fr. James McDermott (Oblate)1934
First Oblate Father pastor, arrived at invitation of Bishop Noll.
- Fr. Francis O'Brien (Oblate)1939
Succeeded Fr. McDermott.
- Fr. George Fox (Oblate)
Succeeded Fr. O'Brien.
- Fr. Mahoney (Oblate)1946
Succeeded Fr. Fox.
- Fr. Shanahanuntil September 1955
- Fr. James B. McCartin
Later died in office; assisted by his brother and nephew.
- Fr. John Linnehan
Oversaw construction of the present church, begun Oct. 15, 1966, first Mass Christmas Eve 1967.
- Msgr. Arthur MacDonald1969 (June 16) – about 1975
Took over after the Oblate Fathers returned to Massachusetts in 1969.
- Fr. Frank Kronewitter
Pastor at the time of the parish's 125th anniversary.
- Fr. Dale Bauman1993
Celebrated the parish's first bilingual Mass on October 31, 1993.
- Rev. Wilson Corzo
Pastored around the 150th anniversary in 2010.
- Fr. Ryan Timossicurrent
Current pastor as listed on the parish website.