About St. Patrick Cathedral · Fort Worth, Texas
St. Patrick Cathedral is the mother church and seat of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas. Located at 1206 Throckmorton Street in downtown Fort Worth, the Gothic Revival limestone church was designed by architect James J. Kane, with construction beginning in 1888 and dedication on July 10, 1892. Originally named for St. Stanislaus Kostka, the parish was renamed by its Irish-majority congregation in honor of St. Patrick before the cornerstone was laid. The cathedral was elevated to co-cathedral status in 1953 alongside Sacred Heart in Dallas, then became the sole cathedral when Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Fort Worth on August 22, 1969. Today it serves a downtown parish community with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish and is recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and a National Register of Historic Places site.
- Established
- 1876
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. John Robert Skeldon
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Worth
Why belong here
St. Patrick Cathedral offers downtown Fort Worth Catholics a historic, architecturally stunning place of worship that is also a living parish with a rich liturgical life in both English and Spanish. The cathedral combines a daily 12:05 PM weekday Mass, daily morning adoration, a robust K–12 faith formation program, sacramental preparation, marriage preparation, RCIA, the St. Francis de Sales catechist formation program, and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament — all within a registered Texas Historic Landmark that serves as the mother church of a diocese of more than 1.2 million Catholics. For those wanting to worship in the heart of the city at the seat of the Diocese of Fort Worth, and to be part of a parish committed to lifelong formation, traditional Catholic worship, and outreach, St. Patrick is a natural home.
Mass times at St. Patrick Cathedral
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Monday through Friday: 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM
- Wednesday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Patrick Cathedral celebrates six Sunday Masses (five in English, one in Spanish), a daily 12:05 PM weekday Mass Monday through Friday, and a Saturday morning Mass at 8:00 AM. The 9:30 AM Sunday Mass is live streamed on the cathedral's website, with previous recordings archived. On National Holidays, Mass is celebrated at 10:00 AM. Holy Day schedules are announced leading up to the feast.
- Sunday: 8:00, 9:30 (live streamed), 11:00, 12:30, 2:30 (Spanish), 5:00 — all English except 2:30 PM
- Monday–Friday: 12:05 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM
- Holy Days: 7:00 AM, 12:05 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM
- National Holidays: 10:00 AM
Parish History
Catholic life in Fort Worth traces back to 1870, when Father Vincent Perrier visited twice a year from Galveston. The first resident pastor, Father Thomas Loughrey, arrived in 1876 and built the frame St. Stanislaus Kostka Church on Throckmorton Street. His successor, French-born Father Jean Marie Guyot, envisioned a grander Gothic Revival church modeled on the great churches of his homeland. The Irish majority of the congregation renamed the parish St. Patrick, and the cornerstone of the new native-limestone church was laid by Bishop Nicholas Gallagher on October 14, 1888. The cathedral was dedicated on July 10, 1892, by Bishop Thomas F. Brennan of Dallas, assisted by Archbishop Francis Janssens of New Orleans.
- 1870 — Father Vincent Perrier's twice-yearly visits
- 1876 — First resident pastor, Father Thomas Loughrey; frame St. Stanislaus Church built; first High Mass October 29, 1876
- 1879 — School for boys begun by Fr. Loughrey
- 1884 — Father Jean Marie Guyot arrives from France
- 1885 — Sisters of St. Mary of Namur arrive; St. Ignatius Academy founded (29 students)
- October 14, 1888 — Cornerstone laid by Bishop Nicholas Gallagher
- July 10, 1892 — Cathedral dedicated by Bishop Thomas F. Brennan
- 1907 — Father Guyot dies; interred in cathedral crypt
- 1908 — Frame St. Stanislaus removed; current rectory built
- 1946–47 — Major interior renovation under Msgr. O'Donohoe
- 1953 — Elevated to co-cathedral alongside Sacred Heart, Dallas
- 1962 — Designated Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
- August 22, 1969 — Diocese of Fort Worth created; St. Patrick named cathedral
- 1985 — Listed on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #85000074)
- 1990 — Texas Historical Commission marker for site of St. Stanislaus
- 2008 — Ten-year restoration completed
Architecture & Restoration
Architect James J. Kane designed the church in the Gothic Revival style using native limestone, constructed 1888–1892 by Scottish stonemason Andrew Cowan under contractors Ramsey and Gilchrist. Notable features include twin towers (intended as the base of unbuilt spires), a rose window within a lancet above the main entrance, and side windows of Munich-style stained glass — the first in North Texas, imported from Germany in the 1890s through 1940s. After decades of exterior paint used to seal the limestone, Volz & Associates prepared a comprehensive Preservation Plan; the resulting ten-year restoration, completed in 2008 by Volz O'Connell Hutson and Dennett Construction, returned the stone to its natural finish while renewing the Rose Window, adding new front gardens, and integrating concealed modern mechanical, acoustic, and lighting systems.
- Architect: James J. Kane of Fort Worth
- Stonemason: Andrew Cowan (Scottish)
- Contractors: Ramsey and Gilchrist
- Style: Gothic Revival (with adjacent French Second Empire St. Ignatius Academy)
- Materials: rock-faced native limestone, Munich stained glass, stone, glass
- Key features: twin towers, rose window, lancet windows, gabled nave
- 1946–47 interior renovation under Msgr. O'Donohoe
- 2008 ten-year restoration by Volz O'Connell Hutson and Dennett Construction
St. Ignatius Academy & Cathedral Complex
The cathedral complex includes the church, the rectory (1908, on the site of the original St. Stanislaus frame building), and St. Ignatius Academy. Founded in 1885 at the invitation of Father Guyot, the Academy was the first Catholic school in Fort Worth, opened by the Belgian Sisters of St. Mary of Namur in two purchased houses with 29 students. As enrollment grew, the Sisters commissioned James J. Kane to design a four-story French Second Empire school building, completed in 1889 — the only building of its style still standing in Fort Worth. The Academy continued as a boarding and day school until 1956, when the Bishop of Dallas purchased the building; it served as the parish school until 1962 and was later converted into classrooms and offices for the St. Patrick School of Religion. The complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a single property with the church, rectory, and Academy as contributing buildings.
- St. Ignatius Academy founded 1885 by Sisters of St. Mary of Namur
- Original 29 students
- Four-story French Second Empire building completed 1889
- Sole surviving French Second Empire building in Fort Worth
- Sold to the diocese in 1956
- Now part of the St. Patrick Cathedral Complex (NRHP #85000074)
Faith Formation & Religious Education (K–12)
Faith Formation at St. Patrick Cathedral, historically known as CCD, Catechism, or Religious Education, is presented as a lifelong journey of growing in relationship with Jesus Christ, taking place both in the home (the Domestic Church) and within the broader parish community. The parish assists parents in forming intentional missionary disciples — children, teens, and adults — who desire communion with God. Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Youth Confirmation is distinct from regular Faith Formation programming and requires active parish membership and a minimum of two years of prior Faith Formation. The Director of Religious Education is Maria Rosales.
- K–12 Faith Formation (weekly sessions)
- Sacramental Preparation: First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Youth Confirmation
- Director of Religious Education: Maria Rosales
- Two-year minimum Faith Formation prior to Sacramental Preparation
Adult Formation & Lay Leadership
Beyond children's faith formation, St. Patrick Cathedral hosts two major formation tracks for adults. The St. Francis de Sales Program teaches the faith as set out in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and offers specialized catechist formation through pedagogical instruction, meeting weekly. The St. Junipero Serra Institute (SJSI) is the chief diocesan program for the direct catechesis of the faithful in the Diocese of Fort Worth and offers three levels — Catechism, Core, and Concentration — each comprising four to six six-week courses, with the option to take courses for credit toward certification or to audit them for personal growth.
- St. Francis de Sales Program (weekly, catechist formation)
- St. Junipero Serra Institute (SJSI) — Catechism, Core, and Concentration levels
- Courses available for credit toward certification or for audit
Sacramental Preparation
Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Youth Confirmation is offered separately from regular Faith Formation. Families must be registered in the parish Faith Formation program and be active members of the parish community (or demonstrate willingness to become actively involved). Typically a minimum of two years of prior Faith Formation is required so that children reach the appropriate age, demonstrate readiness, and are supported by families committed to nurturing their growth in faith.
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Holy Communion preparation
- Youth Confirmation preparation
- Schedules released with the fall and spring semester Faith Formation sessions
Marriage Preparation
St. Patrick Cathedral coordinates Marriage Preparation for couples preparing for the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, under the direction of the Marriage Preparation Coordinator (Melynna Lamb). Couples preparing to marry at the cathedral are guided through the diocesan preparation process.
- Marriage Preparation Coordinator: Melynna Lamb
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music at the cathedral are coordinated by a dedicated team. Joey Canfield serves as Pastoral Assistant and Director of Liturgy, and Mike Canfield serves as Director of Music and Organist. The cathedral's restored interior and acoustics (improved during the 2008 restoration) support a robust liturgical and choral life for Sunday and weekday liturgies, including the live-streamed 9:30 AM Sunday Mass.
- Pastoral Assistant / Director of Liturgy: Joey Canfield
- Director of Music / Organist: Mike Canfield
- Sunday 9:30 AM Mass live streamed
Clergy, Deacons & Parish Staff
St. Patrick Cathedral is led by Rector Rev. John Robert Skeldon, who has been granted the Papal Honor of Chaplain to His Holiness with the title 'Monsignor.' Fr. Brett Metzler and Fr. Francis Kwasi Poku serve as Priests in Residence. Three deacons — Dcn. Jim Crites, Dcn. Don Warner, and Dcn. Manuel Pereda — assist in liturgical and pastoral ministry. Edward Smith serves as Chief of Staff. Renato Peter is the Diocesan Director of Faith Formation for the Guardian Ministry. Aaron Medina is Facilities Supervisor. Jose Trevino handles Web Master and Communications. Carol Franko is Receptionist and Bulletin Editor. Al Rosales serves in administration, and Cintia Ventura is Administrative Assistant and Safe Environment Coordinator.
- Rector: Rev. John Robert Skeldon (Monsignor)
- Priests in Residence: Fr. Brett Metzler; Fr. Francis Kwasi Poku
- Deacons: Dcn. Jim Crites; Dcn. Don Warner; Dcn. Manuel Pereda
- Chief of Staff: Edward Smith
- Diocesan Director of Faith Formation, Guardian Ministry: Renato Peter
- Pastoral Assistant / Director of Liturgy: Joey Canfield
- Director of Music / Organist: Mike Canfield
- Director of Faith Formation: Maria Rosales
- Marriage Preparation Coordinator: Melynna Lamb
- Receptionist / Bulletin Editor: Carol Franko
- Facilities Supervisor: Aaron Medina
- Web Master & Communications: Jose Trevino
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Cintia Ventura
Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth
St. Patrick Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Fort Worth. The current ordinary is Bishop Michael Olson, ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fort Worth on June 3, 1994. He served as Vicar General and Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church from 2001 to 2008, then as Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary from 2008 until his ordination as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth on January 29, 2014, at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
- Fourth Bishop of Fort Worth: Bishop Michael Olson
- Ordained Bishop and installed: January 29, 2014, Fort Worth Convention Center
- Ordained a Priest: June 3, 1994
Historical Recognition
St. Patrick Cathedral is recognized at the state and national levels for its architectural and historical significance. The church was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1962 — one of the first five buildings in Fort Worth so honored. The full cathedral complex — church, rectory, and St. Ignatius Academy — was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 1985 (NRHP #85000074). The Texas Historical Commission in 1990 approved a Texas historical marker for the site of the original 1876 St. Stanislaus Church.
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmark: 1962 (RTHL #4475 Cathedral; #4441 Academy)
- National Register of Historic Places: January 7, 1985 (#85000074)
- Texas Historical Commission marker (1990) for St. Stanislaus Church site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Vincent Perrier1870–1876
Visiting priest from Galveston who came to Fort Worth twice a year and celebrated Mass in the Carrico family home.
- Father Thomas Loughrey1876–1884
First resident pastor of Fort Worth; built the frame St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in 1876 and started a school for boys in 1879.
- Father Jean Marie Guyot1884–1907
French-born priest who envisioned the Gothic Revival stone church modeled on French churches; cornerstone laid 1888, dedication 1892. Died in 1907 and is interred in the cathedral crypt.
- Monsignor Joseph Grundy O'Donohoe1940–1956
Led the major 1946–47 interior renovation; died 1956.
- Monsignor Vincent J. Wolf1956–
Took over in 1956; purchased St. Ignatius Academy from the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur and established the St. Patrick's Restoration and Prestige Fund.
- Rev. John Robert Skeldon
Current Rector; granted the Papal Honor of Chaplain to His Holiness with the title 'Monsignor'.
