About St. Patrick Church of Merna · Bloomington, Illinois
St. Patrick Church of Merna, located in Bloomington, Illinois, is one of two campuses of the Most Holy Eucharist Parish, alongside St. Mary Church in Downs. Founded in 1883, it has a rich history rooted in community service and worship, with Masses originally held in a schoolhouse before a dedicated church was built in 1891. The parish emphasizes a deep relationship with Jesus Christ through the Eucharist and invites all to participate in its ministries, events, and sacraments. It serves the Bloomington-Normal area and surrounding communities with a focus on stewardship, hospitality, and faith formation across all ages.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Father Dustin Schultz
Why belong here
Join a vibrant parish community rooted in the Eucharist, where you can serve others through your God-given gifts, participate in ministries like hospitality, music, and youth groups, and grow your faith through sacraments, Bible studies, and events for all ages — from toddlers to seniors.
Mass times at St. Patrick Church of Merna
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Saturday 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- Sunday 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
- Wednesday 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
- Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Our History
St. Patrick Church of Merna was established as a separate parish from Holy Trinity in Bloomington in 1883, with Masses initially held in a schoolhouse. A dedicated church was built and dedicated in 1891 at a cost of $13,500. The church suffered severe damage from a tornado in 1902, requiring months of repairs during which Masses were celebrated on the lawn. The parish also includes St. Mary Church in Downs, whose cornerstone was laid in April 1910 and dedicated on June 30, 1910, with a large procession and sermon by Bishop Dunne referencing Christ’s words to St. Peter.
Our Mission
Rooted in the Most Holy Eucharist and the other Sacraments, we welcome all to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through stewardship, by loving and serving others through our God-given gifts. Living a life of stewardship allows us to grow in faith by focusing on the three aspects of how we spend our time, how we use our talent, and how we spend our treasure.
Ministries & Activities
The parish offers a wide range of ministries and activities for all ages, including liturgy, hospitality, religious education, family services, and more. Opportunities include volunteering, serving in the parish, and participating in events like Donut Sundays, Funeral Luncheons, and Vacation Bible School.
- Lectors
- Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ministers of Hospitality
- Altar Servers
- Music
- Children’s Liturgy of the Word
- Hospitality
- Donut Sundays
- Funeral Luncheon
- Volunteers
- Parish Hospitality Directors
- Service Parish Nurses
- Helping Neighbors in Need
- St. Vincent de Paul
- St. Mary Ladies Auxiliary
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Garden Ministry
- Heavenly Dusters
- Family Nursery
- Vacation Bible School
- Totus Tuus
- Grief Ministry
- Men’s Ministry
Sacraments & Services
The parish offers all seven sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Regular Masses are held Monday through Friday at 8:00 am, with additional times on weekends. Confession and Eucharistic Adoration are also available on specific days and times.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation
- Holy Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Holy Orders
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick