About St. Patrick · Colona, Illinois
St. Patrick Church in Colona, Illinois is a historic Catholic parish whose roots stretch back to 1857, when missionary priest Fr. John George Alleman celebrated the first Mass in the community. In 1942 it was formally established as a parish with Fr. Norman Speicher as its first pastor, and a new church was built on land purchased from the Reese family and dedicated by Bishop Cousins in December 1954. In 2025, St. Patrick merged with neighboring Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Silvis to form Divine Mercy Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, while retaining the St. Patrick Church location in Colona. Today the parish is served by Fr. Peter Zorjan alongside Deacons Alfred Angelo and Aaron Hoste, offering Sunday Masses in both morning and evening slots with a guitar and piano choir, weekday Masses, religious education (CCD), OCIA, and a GriefShare ministry.
- Established
- 1942
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Peter Zorjan
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Patrick Church is a small, family-style Catholic community with roots going back to 1857 and a parish life rich with tradition — from the famous parish chicken dinners of the 1950s to today's Sunday liturgies led by a guitar and piano choir. As part of the newly formed Divine Mercy Parish (2025) it offers the full sacramental life of the Church, including weekday Mass, Reconciliation before every liturgy, year-round CCD faith formation at the St. Patrick Campus, OCIA for adults, a GriefShare support group, and Eucharistic Adoration at the linked Silvis church. It is a welcoming place for anyone seeking the truth about Jesus Christ, the Sacred Scriptures, and the Catholic Church — and a place, the parish says, that is 'happy to pray for you and be of service in any way we can.'
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 10:00 a.m.-10:20 a.m. (at St. Patrick's, Colona)
- Sunday 5:45 p.m.-6:15 p.m. (at St. Patrick's, Colona)
- Sunday 6:00 p.m.-6:20 p.m. (at St. Patrick's, Colona)
- Monday 7:30 a.m.-7:50 a.m. (at St. Patrick's, Colona)
- Thursday 7:30 a.m.-7:50 a.m. (at St. Patrick's, Colona)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Silvis)
- Extended Adoration every Wednesday 8:45 a.m.-7:00 p.m. in the church (Our Lady of Guadalupe, Silvis)
History of St. Patrick Church, Colona
Catholic life in Colona stretches back to 1857-1859, when missionary priest Fr. John George Alleman celebrated the first Mass in the community and went on to found many parishes across the Quad Cities area. In 1866 St. Patrick's was a mission of St. Malachy in Geneseo and part of the Diocese of Chicago (the Peoria Diocese was not yet established until 1877). In 1873 land was purchased in old Colona and a public schoolhouse was remodeled into a church — the first dedicated worship space of the community. In 1942 St. Patrick's was formally established as a parish with Fr. Norman Speicher as its first pastor, and the Dominican Sisters soon began coming from East Moline to teach catechism on Sundays. The 1950s brought rapid growth: parish chicken dinners were launched to raise funds, and the Reese family farm was purchased as the site for the present church. Fr. Charles DeWitte was appointed pastor in 1953, the cornerstone was laid on July 11, 1954, and Bishop Cousins dedicated the finished church on December 19, 1954. The original church building then became the Colona American Legion hall, where it still serves the community.
- 1857-1859: Fr. John George Alleman celebrates the first Mass in Colona.
- 1866: St. Patrick's is a mission of St. Malachy, Geneseo (Diocese of Chicago).
- 1873: Land purchased in old Colona; a public schoolhouse is remodeled as a church.
- 1942: St. Patrick's formally becomes a parish; Fr. Norman Speicher is the first pastor.
- 1950: Parish chicken dinners begin as a fundraiser; Reese family farm purchased.
- 1953: Fr. Charles DeWitte appointed pastor.
- 1954: Cornerstone laid July 11; church dedicated by Bishop Cousins December 19.
Building & Campus Growth (1960s-1970s)
Under Fr. DeWitte's long tenure and into the 1970s, the physical plant of St. Patrick's expanded to meet the needs of a growing parish. A new rectory was built in 1966-1967, and the old farmhouse rectory was relocated to Bill Stohl's farm. During the 1970s the Parish Hall received additions and interior renovations. Today the St. Patrick Campus in Colona continues to serve as the site of the parish church, the rectory/parish offices, the parish hall, and the Sunday-morning CCD classrooms that now serve the entire merged Divine Mercy Parish.
- 1966-1967: New rectory built; old farmhouse rectory moved to Bill Stohl's farm.
- 1970s: Additions and interior renovations to the Parish Hall.
- Today: The Colona campus hosts Sunday CCD for all Divine Mercy Parish students.
Divine Mercy Parish (2025 Merger)
On April 26, 2025, St. Patrick Parish in Colona merged with Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Silvis to form Divine Mercy Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. Both worship sites are retained: Mass and most parish activities continue at St. Patrick Church in Colona and at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Silvis, with Fr. Peter Zorjan as pastor and Deacons Alfred Angelo and Aaron Hoste assisting. The merged parish offers the combined liturgical and devotional life of both former parishes, including the Perpetual Adoration Chapel housed at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Silvis.
- Merged April 26, 2025 to form Divine Mercy Parish.
- Both worship sites retained: St. Patrick (Colona) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Silvis).
- Fr. Peter Zorjan continues as pastor.
- Deacons Alfred Angelo and Aaron Hoste serve the merged parish.
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
All Children's Religious Education (CCD) for the merged Divine Mercy Parish is offered at the St. Patrick Campus in Colona on Sunday mornings during the school year, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. The program prepares public-school, homeschool and private-school children for the sacraments of First Communion (second grade / age 7+, after two consecutive years of instruction) and Confirmation (a two-year formation beginning in 7th grade). Students who attend Seton or Jordan Catholic School receive their religious instruction during the school day and are confirmed together as one class at their home parish.
- CCD Sundays 9:00-10:15 a.m. at St. Patrick Campus, Colona
- First Communion preparation — 2nd grade / age 7+, with 2 years prior instruction
- Confirmation — 8th grade or older, 2-year program starting in 7th grade
- Contact: Rose Roe (CCD Coordinator) — (309) 235-4969 (Communion) / (309) 949-3700 (Confirmation)
OCIA, Bible Study & Adult Faith
Adult faith formation is a growing part of parish life. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in St. Patrick's Hall, with the next cycle starting September 3, 2025. Coordinators Clark Stojan and Fernando Esparza welcome inquirers; registration is through the parish office at (309) 792-3867 ext 3. A parish Bible Study is planned for fall 2025.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 p.m. in St. Patrick's Hall
- New cycle begins September 3, 2025
- Contacts: Clark Stojan and Fernando Esparza
- Bible Study coming fall 2025
GriefShare & Pastoral Outreach
The parish hosts the GriefShare grief recovery support group, a 13-week program for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. The group is facilitated by a seasoned parish member who completed the program at another church and now brings it to Divine Mercy. Meetings are Tuesdays 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Guadalupe Hall in Silvis; participants ages 12 and older are welcome to join at any time.
- GriefShare — Tuesdays 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Hall
- Open to ages 12 and older; join at any time
- Contact: Katrina in the parish office, (309) 792-3867 ext 3
Parish Staff & Clergy
Divine Mercy Parish is led by Fr. Peter Zorjan, who was named pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Patrick in 2015 and continues to serve both communities through the merger. He is assisted by two deacons — Deacon Alfred W. Angelo, Jr. (Senior Status) and Deacon Aaron Hoste — and parish staff reachable through the parish office.
- Fr. Peter Zorjan — Pastor (since 2015)
- Deacon Alfred W. Angelo, Jr. (Senior Status)
- Deacon Aaron Hoste
- Parish Office: 201 First Street, Colona, IL 61241-9545 — (309) 792-3854
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptism and marriage are arranged through the parish office. First Holy Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the parish CCD program at the St. Patrick Campus, with the children's Religious Education program running Sunday mornings during the school year. Reconciliation is offered before every Mass at St. Patrick's, and Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral sacraments are available by contacting the parish.
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion (mid-to-late April)
- Confirmation (8th grade or older)
- Marriage
- Reconciliation (before every Mass)
- Anointing of the Sick
Visit & Contact
St. Patrick Church is located at 201 First Street, Colona, Illinois 61241-9545, with the parish office reachable at (309) 792-3854. The parish shares a website (www.olgsilvis.com) and a Facebook page with the linked Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Silvis. As part of the newly formed Divine Mercy Parish, all are warmly welcomed to come to Holy Mass, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, find answers to life's difficult questions, or simply be prayed for and served by this small, historic Quad Cities Catholic community.
- Address: 201 First Street, Colona, IL 61241-9545
- Phone: 309-792-3854
- Website: www.olgsilvis.com (shared with Our Lady of Guadalupe, Silvis)
- Facebook: linked from catholicquadcities.org/st-patrick-colona
- Part of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Norman Speicher1942-
First pastor when St. Patrick became a parish in 1942.
- Fr. Charles DeWitte1953-1983
Appointed pastor in 1953; oversaw the building and 1954 dedication of the present church; served for 30 years until retiring at age 73.
- Fr. Bush1983-2001
Succeeded Fr. DeWitte in 1983.
- Fr. Duane Jack2001-2013
Succeeded Fr. Bush; retired in 2013.
- Fr. Steven Bird2013-2015
Succeeded Fr. Jack in 2013; succeeded by Fr. Zorjan in 2015.
- Fr. Peter Zorjan2015-present
Named pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Patrick in 2015; continues to lead the merged Divine Mercy Parish.