About Saint Patrick · Tolono, Illinois
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a small but historically rich Catholic parish in Tolono, Illinois, in the southeastern corner of Champaign County. Established in 1859 by Irish Catholic settlers connected with the Illinois Central Railroad, it belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and is today linked with St. Joseph Parish in nearby Ivesdale. The parish is served by Father Patrick K. O'Neal and worships in a striking 1937 Gothic-style church on East Washington Street, having marked its 150th anniversary in 2008 and now well into its second century of Catholic life in east-central Illinois.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick K. O'Neal
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a tight-knit country parish where one pastor knows every family and worship still happens in a historic Gothic church built in 1937. Parishioners of every age are woven into a single community through Sunday Religious Education for K–8, an active Altar & Rosary Society, a Knights of Columbus council, a Divine Mercy Cenacle, a parish nurse, and a food pantry that serves the wider Tolono area on Mondays and Fridays out of the parish hall. If you are looking for an historic, volunteer-driven Catholic community in southeastern Champaign County that still prays, teaches, and feeds its neighbors together, St. Patrick's is a faithful place to call home.
Mass times at Saint Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:15–3:45 pm at St. Patrick in Tolono
- Anytime by appointment — call the Rectory at 217-485-1224
History of St. Patrick Parish, Tolono
St. Patrick's roots go back to the Illinois Central Railroad, when a priest from Urbana came to say Mass in a section house for the workers and their families. The parish was formally established in 1859 with a small 20-by-40-foot frame church that drew members from Tolono, Philo and Pesotum. A larger church followed in 1871, but lightning destroyed it and the rectory on August 2, 1929. The local Methodist church opened its doors for worship, and a former grocery store on Daggy Street served as the parish's temporary home until the current Gothic-style church was dedicated on May 27, 1937. The parish marked 150 years of faith in 2008 with a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Jenky, a 'Celebrate Life' musical, the blessing of memento ornaments, and a catered dinner at Classic Events Catering, Urbana.
- 1859 — Parish established; first frame church built (20 x 40 ft).
- 1871 — Second church dedicated after construction began in 1869.
- August 2, 1929 — Lightning destroyed church and rectory; Methodist church hosted Masses; Daggy Street grocery store used as gathering place.
- May 27, 1937 — Present Gothic church dedicated.
- c. 1957 — Basement excavated and finished with volunteer labor.
- 1969 — Church re-dedicated after Wilhelm-legacy remodeling (choir loft removed, stained-glass window installed, new entryways and sacristy).
- c. 1991 — Seven-sacrament stained-glass windows installed (designed Fr. George Wuellner; fabricated by Jerry Harden).
- 1999 — Parish hall completed.
- 2008 — 150th anniversary celebration.
Staff & Parish Leadership
The parish is led by Father Patrick K. O'Neal, with Becky Hand serving as bookkeeper and Erin Ping as Director of Religious Education. Day-to-day parish operations are supported by a Finance Council, two trustees, and a parish nurse. Jan Blaney coordinates Catholic Charities outreach, and Marlene Breen leads the Altar & Rosary Society.
- Pastor — Fr. Patrick O'Neal ([email protected]; rectory 217-485-1224)
- Bookkeeper — Becky Hand ([email protected]; 217-485-1129)
- Director of Religious Education — Erin Ping
- Trustees — Larry Hewing, Mick McAvoy
- Finance Council — Larry Meyer, Sharon Morgan, Tom Tempel
- Catholic Charities Coordinator — Jan Blaney (217-621-5694)
- Altar & Rosary Society — Marlene Breen (217-485-6500)
- Parish Nurse — Danna Williamson (217-621-6653)
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics for all seven sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled after a pre-baptism class with the pastor — ideally before the child is born — and require at least one practicing-Catholic parent and practicing-Catholic godparents (with a verification letter from their home pastor if applicable). First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received through the Religious Education program, and Confirmation involves a two-year preparation with regular Mass and class attendance; the DRE and teachers recommend candidates, with the pastor making the final decision. Couples wishing to marry at St. Patrick, those discerning Holy Orders, and the homebound or hospitalized who wish to receive Anointing of the Sick are asked to contact the parish office. Because HIPAA prevents hospitals from automatically notifying the priest, parishioners are asked to call Father Pat directly at 217-485-1224 when a hospital, nursing-home or assisted-living visit is needed.
- Baptism — pre-baptism class required; one godparent minimum (must be practicing Catholic).
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:15–3:45 pm or by appointment.
- Eucharist — prepared through Religious Education.
- Confirmation — two-year program; pastor has final decision.
- Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office.
- Active parish membership of at least six months is required for sacramental eligibility and godparent sponsorship.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education for students in kindergarten through eighth grade meets on Sundays at 9:00 am. Adult Faith Formation opportunities are offered alongside the parish's 'Becoming Catholic' (RCIA) process for those inquiring about the faith. The parish also hosts the Totus Tuus summer program. Director of Religious Education Erin Ping coordinates the program; parents are expected to be involved in meetings and activities tied to their children's preparation, and the parish emphasizes regular Sunday Mass and class attendance as the foundation of lifelong faith.
- Religious Education — K–8, Sundays 9:00 am
- Adult Faith Formation
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
- Totus Tuus summer program
- Director of Religious Education — Erin Ping
Parish Life, Ministries & Outreach
St. Patrick's parish life is supported by a small but active set of lay organizations. The Altar & Rosary Society meets monthly September through May in the parish hall on the first Tuesday at 7:00 pm (dues $3). The Knights of Columbus council serves the parish and broader community. The Divine Mercy Cenacle prayer group gathers on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish hall to study the message of Divine Mercy. A Parish Nurse (Danna Williamson) provides health-related outreach, and a Catholic Charities coordinator (Jan Blaney) connects parishioners with wider diocesan social services.
- Altar & Rosary Society — first Tuesday at 7:00 pm, Sept.–May (parish hall)
- Knights of Columbus council
- Divine Mercy Cenacle — fourth Tuesday at 7:00 pm
- Catholic Charities — Jan Blaney (217-621-5694)
- Parish Nurse — Danna Williamson (217-621-6653)
- St. Patrick Food Pantry — 304 E. Vine St., Mon. 5:00–6:30 pm, Fri. 9:00–10:30 am
- Volunteer needs: Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Lectors, Ushers
Facilities: Church, Parish Hall & Cemetery
The church at 212 E. Washington St. anchors parish life, with the air-conditioned chapel and soundproof cry room offering quieter spaces for prayer and families with small children. The 1999 parish hall, built largely with volunteer labor, hosts Religious Education, the Altar & Rosary Society, parish dinners, and the St. Patrick Food Pantry; it can also be rented by parishioners and non-parishioners for receptions and meetings. The parish also maintains a cemetery as part of its ministry to the local Catholic community.
- Church — 212 E. Washington St., Tolono (Gothic, dedicated 1937)
- Parish Hall — built 1999; hosts Religious Education, Altar & Rosary, dinners, food pantry; available for rental
- Food Pantry — 304 E. Vine St., Tolono (Parish Hall)
- Cemetery — maintained by the parish
Getting Involved & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at weekend liturgies. The parish is currently seeking volunteers to serve as Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Lectors, and Ushers — those interested can contact the office at 217-485-1129 or [email protected], or speak with Father Pat at 217-485-1224. The annual St. Patrick's Potluck hosted by Altar & Rosary follows the 10:30 am Mass each March, and the parish hall is available for private receptions and meetings. Masses are live-streamed on Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.
- Office — 217-485-1129 / [email protected]
- Rectory / Father Pat — 217-485-1224
- Father Pat's email — [email protected]
- Live-streamed Masses — Facebook: 'St. Patrick Catholic Church Tolono, Illinois'
- Bulletin & ministry schedules posted on stpatricktolono.com
Diocese & Wider Catholic Community
St. Patrick is a parish of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, the diocese covering central and north-central Illinois. The parish is linked with St. Joseph in nearby Ivesdale, and Father Patrick O'Neal serves both communities. The Diocese of Peoria website lists St. Patrick as established in 1859 and identifies it as a linked parish in the diocese's parish directory.
- Diocese — Catholic Diocese of Peoria
- Linked parish — St. Joseph, Ivesdale
- Tuesday Mass and certain Holy Week liturgies are celebrated at St. Joseph/Ivesdale
- Annual Diocesan Appeal supported each year
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Ryan of New Arm1854
Said Mass in Illinois Central Railroad construction camps before the parish was founded.
- Rev. Lambert1858
Served Champaign, Tolono, Danville and intermediate communities.
- Rev. J.B. Force (or Frolich)1859
First pastor at formal establishment of the parish.
- Rev. Scanlon1860–1861
Served until his death on Oct. 3, 1861.
- Rev. Thomas Ryan1861–1864
Served Champaign-Urbana, Danville, Tolono, Rantoul.
- Rev. Noone1864
- Rev. Michael Pendergast1865
Mission divided; became resident priest at Champaign serving surrounding stations.
- Rev. Patrick Toner1866–1879
Tolono became a separate church under his tenure; served until retirement.
- Rev. A.J. Wagner1879–1888
First resident priest of Tolono. Transferred to St. Mary's parish May 4, 1888.
- Rev. M.J. Byrne1888
Served temporarily.
- Rev. J.F. Donavan1888
- Rev. Thomas Devaney1888–1890
- Rev. Thomas Kinnery1890–1898
- Rev. John Cummings1898–1902
- Rev. D.A. Kelley1902–1905
- Rev. P.J. Quinn1905–1906
- Rev. E.J. Kniery1906–1910
- Rev. Joseph Flanagan1910–1924
- Rev. E.C. Leonard1924–1935
- Rev. B.J. Tomaszewski1935–1942
- Rev. Charles Martell1942–1948
- Rev. Arthur J. O'Brien1948–1958
- Rev. Michael Cottrell1958–1960
- Rev. James Martin1960–1965
- Rev. Frank Wuellner1965–1986
Long-serving pastor; brother of Fr. George Wuellner who designed the stained-glass windows later installed under Fr. O'Riley.
- Rev. Richard J. Means1986–1988
- Rev. Dennis H. O'Riely1988–2001
Installed the 1991 stained-glass windows, carved the statue of St. Patrick, and led completion of the parish hall in 1999.
- Rev. Thomas Gibson2001–2003
- Rev. Joseph Dondanville2003–2009
- Rev. William Keebler2009–2010
- Rev. John Cyr2010–2013
- Rev. Patrick Riordan2013–2017
- Rev. Fredi Gomeztorres2018–2022
- Rev. Patrick O'Neal2022–present
Current pastor. Email [email protected]; rectory 217-485-1224.