About St. Patrick · Denison, Texas
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a historic parish in downtown Denison, Texas, founded in 1872 — the same year Denison became a municipality — and is the second-oldest parish in the Diocese of Dallas. Its 1914 Gothic Revival sanctuary, designed on the lines of architect Nicholas J. Clayton's original plans, stands at the corner of N. Rusk Avenue and W. Sears Street and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The parish serves approximately 1,000 families, offering daily and weekend Masses, a perpetual adoration chapel, sacramental preparation, and a full slate of lay ministries including the Knights of Columbus Council 830.
- Established
- 1872
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. George Perez, CJM (effective September 1, 2025)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a mid-sized, family-oriented parish of about 1,000 households in historic downtown Denison, just two miles from the Red River. Parishioners describe the community with words like 'family,' and the parish supports daily and Sunday Mass, a perpetual adoration chapel, year-round religious education, a Pre-Cana marriage-preparation program, the Knights of Columbus Council 830, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, and a homebound Eucharistic ministry that brings Communion to the hospital, rehab, nursing home, or house. Becoming a registered parishioner is straightforward — complete a registration form (online or in person at the parish office) — and visitors are warmly welcomed.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- By appointment (contact the parish office)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (open 24/7; contact the parish office for the door code)
History of St. Patrick Parish
St. Patrick's parish traces its roots to 1872, when Bishop Claude Dubuis of Galveston established a Catholic presence in Denison in the same year the railroad town was incorporated. The first church opened that December, just in time for Christmas Mass, on the northwest corner of N. Rusk Avenue and W. Sears Street. By 1890, the parish — still under the Diocese of Galveston — was folded into the newly created Diocese of Dallas, making St. Patrick older than the diocese itself. The parish today numbers around 1,000 families, and its 2022 150th anniversary Mass was celebrated by Bishop Edward J. Burns with Father Stephen Mocio and about 400 congregants.
- Founded 1872 by Bishop Claude Dubuis of Galveston
- Second-oldest parish in the Diocese of Dallas
- First church opened December 1872 on the northwest corner of N. Rusk & W. Sears
- Became part of the new Diocese of Dallas in 1890
- 150th anniversary Mass celebrated May 1, 2022 by Bishop Edward J. Burns
The Sanctuary: Gothic Revival Architecture
The present sanctuary was rebuilt in 1912–1914 after the original Clayton-designed church was destroyed by fire in October 1911. It is a textbook example of Texas Gothic Revival, with patterned brickwork, lancet arches, buttressed piers, and a cross-gabled corner tower composition. Designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1983, it stands on the southeast corner of the same downtown intersection where the parish began.
- Designed by Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton (original design 1891–1898)
- Destroyed by fire October 1911
- Rebuilt 1912–14, dedicated by Bishop Lynch February 1914
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (1983)
- Major exterior restoration 2014–15 and stained-glass/organ refurbishment 2018–21
Clergy & Staff
Father George Perez, CJM became pastor of St. Patrick effective September 1, 2025, appointed by Bishop Michael Pham. His immediate predecessor, Father Stephen J. Mocio, served 16 years as pastor (2009–June 30, 2025) and oversaw the church's two-phase restoration before retiring in 2025. Father Kevin Wilwert served as Pastoral Administrator from July 1 to August 31, 2025. The parish is also served by Deacon Gary Vogel.
- Pastor: Rev. George Perez, CJM (effective September 1, 2025)
- Pastoral Administrator (interim): Rev. Kevin Wilwert (July 1 – August 31, 2025)
- Retired Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Stephen J. Mocio (2009–June 30, 2025)
- Deacon: Gary Vogel
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Religious Education program for children and youth, with online registration available through the parish website. Adult initiation into the Catholic faith follows the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA / OCIA), with the Rite of Welcoming traditionally celebrated during the 8:30 Sunday Mass in the presence of the assembly.
- Religious Education — registration available on parish website
- Rite of Welcoming (OCIA / RCIA) celebrated during Sunday 8:30 Mass
- Year-round sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation
Marriage Preparation (Pre-Cana)
St. Patrick requires engaged couples to complete its Pre-Cana program before being married at the parish. Coordinated by Tom and Lisa Linnebur, the program includes an inventory, homework, and a session with a sponsor couple — about 12 hours of total work — for a $50 materials fee. Graduates receive a Texas state certificate that gives $60 off a marriage license.
- Pre-Cana Coordinators: Tom & Lisa Linnebur, 903-271-6290
- $50 program fee; ~12 hours of total work
- Includes inventory, homework, and sponsor-couple session
- Texas Pre-Cana certificate (worth $60 off a marriage license)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Lay faithful at St. Patrick support the parish through a wide range of ministries and apostolates. The Knights of Columbus Council 830 anchors the men's apostolate and joins the broader Fourth Degree Assembly 1601 with other area councils, while Worldwide Marriage Encounter supports couples. The Homebound Eucharistic Ministry brings Communion to Catholics in local hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, and private residences — arrangements are made by calling the Parish Office since hospitals no longer share patient lists.
- Knights of Columbus Council 830 (Denison)
- Fourth Degree Assembly 1601 (multi-council)
- Worldwide Marriage Encounter
- Homebound Eucharistic Ministry (hospital / rehab / nursing home / home visits)
- Liturgical ministries: Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Ministry Schedule published quarterly)
- Livestream Mass team
- RCIA / OCIA sponsors and team
- Pre-Cana sponsor couples
Outreach, Devotions, and Parish Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, St. Patrick sustains a devotional life that includes novenas, memorial Masses, flowers and candles, and second-collection giving. The parish also publishes the Patrick Profile newsletter and offers keepsake programs such as the Reflections of Faith book and Walkway Bricks memorial pathway.
- Novena devotions
- Memorial Masses offered for loved ones
- Flowers, Candles & Mass Intentions
- Second-Collection giving
- Patrick Profile newsletter
- Reflections of Faith keepsake book
- Walkway Bricks memorial program
- Online Giving via ParishSoft
Visiting & Contact Information
St. Patrick's sanctuary and parish office are located at 314 N. Rusk Ave. in downtown Denison, Texas, on the southeast corner of N. Rusk Avenue and W. Sears Street. The Parish Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–2:00 PM) and on Fridays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed; registration forms are available online through the parish website or in person at the office.
- Address: 314 N. Rusk Ave., Denison, TX 75020
- Phone: (903) 463-3275
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://saintpats.net
- Parish Office: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–4:30 PM (lunch 12–2); Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- New parishioner registration: in person or online under Community/Registration
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Stephen J. Mocio2009–June 30, 2025
Served 16 years as pastor; led the church's exterior restoration (2014–15), stained-glass and organ refurbishment (2018–21); celebrated the parish's 150th anniversary Mass with Bishop Edward J. Burns on May 1, 2022; retired June 30, 2025, after nearly 50 years of priesthood.
- Father Kevin WilwertJuly 1 – August 31, 2025
Appointed Pastoral Administrator of St. Patrick Parish effective July 1, 2025 (transferred from St. Ann Parish, Coppell, where he had served as Parochial Vicar).
- Father George Perez, CJMSeptember 1, 2025 – present
Appointed by Bishop Michael Pham as the next pastor; first pastorate for Father George, who had previously assisted with Spanish Masses at St. Patrick; was ordained by then-Bishop Robert McElroy at St. Patrick (on the school basketball court due to COVID restrictions).