About St. Patrick · East Brady, Pennsylvania
St. Patrick Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Brady's Bend Township, East Brady, Pennsylvania, serving the Catholic community of northern Armstrong County and neighbors in the Diocese of Greensburg. Founded in the tradition of Irish Catholic settlers who first came to Sugarcreek Township in 1806, the parish today numbers over 200 households — roughly 515 Catholics — drawn from Armstrong, Butler, and Clarion Counties. The parish is well-known for its extraordinary historic landmark, the 1806 Log Church in Sugar Creek — listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and recognized as the oldest existing Catholic church west of the Allegheny Mountains — which it still maintains as a place of pilgrimage. Weekend and weekday Masses are celebrated in its 1969 church on State Route 68, and the community continues to deepen its faith through religious education, RCIA, the Knights of Columbus, a music ministry, the St. Paddy’s Ladies Group, and traditional Lenten fish dinners.
- Established
- 1806
- Patron
- St. Patrick of Ireland
- Rector
- Rev. Eric J. Dinga, V.F. (Administrator – Vicar Forane, Deanery I)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a close-knit, multigenerational Catholic community of more than 200 households spread across Armstrong, Butler, and Clarion Counties, where faith, family, and a rich heritage of Catholic tradition are taken seriously. The parish offers the full sacramental life — daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Vigil Mass on Saturday, and Sunday Mass — with confession before each weekend liturgy, a robust Religious Education program for preschool through eighth grade, Confirmation preparation, and a parish-based RCIA directed by Ginny Harmon with the pastor. Members can get involved in the Knights of Columbus, the St. Paddy's Ladies Group, the Prayer Chain, Mercy Meal Team, choir, lectors, altar servers, greeters, ushers, and the parish's beloved Lenten Fish Dinners — and the historic 1806 Log Church in Sugar Creek, open on weekends from May through September, makes this a parish with a story unlike almost any other.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Sunday 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
About St. Patrick Parish, Brady's Bend
St. Patrick Parish serves the Catholic community of northern Armstrong County from its church on State Route 68 in Brady's Bend Township, near East Brady, Pennsylvania. In the parish's own words: 'We, the parish of St. Patrick, located in Brady's Bend Township, Pennsylvania, serve the Catholic community in Northern Armstrong County, and its neighbors in the Diocese of Greensburg. We continue to build upon our history of strong family values. We value our faith, family and the rich heritage of our Catholic traditions.' Today the parish numbers more than 200 households — roughly 515 Catholics — drawn from Armstrong, Butler, and Clarion Counties. The parish is also the steward of the extraordinary 1806 Log Church in Sugar Creek, the oldest existing Catholic church west of the Allegheny Mountains.
- Active faith community of over 200 households (~515 Catholics)
- Draws parishioners from Armstrong, Butler, and Clarion Counties
- Member of the Diocese of Greensburg, Deanery I
Parish History
The parish traces its origins to Irish Catholic settlers who came to Sugarcreek Township beginning in 1806. The full arc — from the log church built by Patrick McElroy's neighbors in 1806, to the 1864 Romanesque sandstone church blessed by Bishop Domenec, to the present 1969 church and the 1980 flood that tested the community — is documented on the parish website's 'Our History' page and forms the backbone of parish identity.
- 1806 — Original log church built by Irish settlers in Sugar Creek
- 1864 — Cornerstone of the second church (Romanesque sandstone, 600 seats) blessed by Bishop Domenec on July 19
- 1897 — Reduced to mission status, served from the Diocese of Erie
- 1935 — Bishop Hugh C. Boyle of Pittsburgh reclaimed the parish; Father Thomas McPherson appointed pastor July 14
- 1949 — Father Albert P. Ackerman succeeded Father Byrne; in 1951 parish joined the new Diocese of Greensburg
- September 1960 — Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes dedicated
- November 2, 1969 — Present church dedicated on All Souls Day; 54' × 105', seats 350, $163,000
- August 14, 1980 — Devastating flash flood; social hall served as relief center
- 1987 — Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes rededicated; log church restored
- January 2007 — Sugar Creek chapel closed by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt
Historic Log Church, Sugar Creek
The parish's most distinctive feature is the original log cabin church in Sugar Creek, completed in the fall of 1806 by Irish settlers — including Patrick McElroy, who roofed the structure. Standing roughly 35 feet high and 22 feet wide, it is recognized as the oldest existing Catholic church west of the Allegheny Mountains and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a state historic shrine in 1977. After falling into disrepair, it was restored in 1926 by Father Edward J. Moriarty and the Sugar Creek congregation using period methods — with nails scarce and most funds coming from the diocese. A Shrine to Our Lady of the Assumption, patroness of the Diocese of Greensburg, was dedicated in August 1975 on the site of two earlier brick churches whose remains lie beneath it.
- Oldest existing Catholic church west of the Allegheny Mountains
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977
- Open on weekends from the first Saturday in May through the last Sunday in September, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Masses celebrated here Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day at 9:00 a.m.
- Located in Sugarcreek Township near Worthington, PA
Meet the Staff
The parish is currently led by an Administrator and supported by a Senior Priest Active, an office and maintenance staff, and a music accompanist. The welcome page additionally identifies Father Jose Ricky F. Cortez as pastor.
- Rev. Eric J. Dinga, V.F. — Administrator – Vicar Forane, Deanery I
- Rev. Alan W. Grote — Senior Priest Active
- Rev. Jose Ricky F. Cortez — Pastor (per Welcome page)
- Barbara Boltz — Office Staff
- Robin Marree — Bulletin Editor / Admin Assistant
- Jill Stimac — Maintenance
- Bob Crawford — Maintenance
- Dorinda Aigner — Accompanist
- Ginny Harmon — RCIA Director
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Patrick is offered for the whole parish community through three programs: Religious Education for children, Confirmation Preparation for middle-schoolers, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for adults discerning full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Religious Education — preschool (3+, potty-trained) through 5th grade; Sundays after the 9:30 a.m. Mass (~10:20 a.m.) until 11:45 a.m.
- Confirmation Preparation — 6th through 8th grade; every other Sunday 6:00–7:30 p.m. in the social hall
- RCIA — directed by Ginny Harmon with Father Ricky Cortez; for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and Eucharist
Parish Ministries
Liturgical and service ministries give parishioners of all ages a way to take part in the celebration of the Mass and in the parish's outreach.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (and to the Sick)
- Greeters
- Lectors
- Music Ministry / Choir (ministers at the 9:30 a.m. Mass; practices Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.)
- Ushers
Parish Organizations
Beyond liturgy, the parish sponsors a number of organizations and outreach efforts that knit the community together and serve the wider area.
- Knights of Columbus — Holy Name Council #4602 (Emlenton), 4th Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
- Knights of Columbus — Kittanning Council #1011, 1st Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at 1011 Woodward Ave, Kittanning
- Lenten Fish Dinners — Fridays during Lent (except Good Friday)
- Mercy Meal Team — provides funeral meals
- Prayer Chain
- St. Paddy's Ladies Group — meets second Tuesday of the month after the 6:00 p.m. Mass
- St. Vincent de Paul Society chapter (organized in 1986 under Father Raimer)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments and provides preparation for each. Couples are asked to contact the pastor at least one year before a wedding; baptisms are typically celebrated during Sunday Eucharist (or after Mass) with confirmed Catholic sponsors aged 16 or older in good standing. RCIA serves adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Baptism
- Confirmation (by appointment, parish-based preparation)
- Eucharist (Sunday and weekday Masses)
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:15–4:45 p.m., Sunday 8:45–9:15 a.m.
- Marriage — contact pastor one year in advance; approved marriage preparation program
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Cemeteries
St. Patrick Parish manages three cemeteries in the surrounding area. In 1998, two centuries after the first burial, an abandoned cemetery on the Dougan property in Donegal Township was rediscovered, cleared of debris, and rededicated to the Irish settlers whose graves remain there — many having been moved previously to St. Patrick Cemetery or other Butler-area cemeteries. Father Chester J. Raimer renovated the cemetery during his pastorate (1986–1992).
- Three parish-managed cemeteries
- 1998 — Dougan-property cemetery in Donegal Township rededicated
- Contact the parish office for rules, regulations, and fees
Parish Life & Outreach
St. Patrick's identity is shaped by shared traditions — Lenten Fish Dinners, the Mercy Meal Team that cooks for funerals, the Prayer Chain, and the women's St. Paddy's Ladies Group — alongside its long-standing service through the Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The parish also continues the older tradition of an annual pilgrimage to the 1806 Log Church, which opens each May and is host to summer Masses on the three major civil holidays.
- Lenten Fish Dinners open to the public
- Mercy Meal Team — funeral hospitality
- Prayer Chain — intercessory prayer for special requests
- St. Paddy's Ladies Group — parish care, candles, shut-in meals, cards
- Annual open season at the Log Church, May through September
Visit, Register, and Give
Parishioners and visitors can register by completing a new member form (available on the website or at the parish office) or by contacting the office at 724-526-5079 or [email protected]. Online giving is available through the parish website. The office asks visitors to come any day of the week except Thursday, and reminds everyone that the Log Church in Sugar Creek is open on weekends from May 1 through October 1.
- Parish office phone: 724-526-5079
- Fax: 724-526-3028
- Email: [email protected]
- Online giving available via the parish website
- New member registration form available online and in the office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Laurence Sylvester Phelan1805–1807
First priest to take up residence in the Sugar Creek settlement.
- Rev. Thomas Walsh
First resident pastor in Queenstown; recognized the need for a church in Brady's Bend.
- Rev. Clifford1935
Pastor from nearby Murrinsville, first priest in charge after Bishop Boyle reclaimed the parish.
- Rev. Thomas McPhersonappointed July 14, 1935
Formally appointed pastor; renovated the vacant rectory across from the church.
- Rev. James A. Byrnefrom October 1942
Redecorated the interior, remodeled the altars, and laid a new floor in the church.
- Rev. Albert P. Ackermanfrom 1949
Saw Brady's Bend join the newly formed Diocese of Greensburg in 1951; also became pastor of the Chapel of St. Patrick, Sugar Creek.
- Rev. Curry
Along with Father Ramellini, set in motion plans for the new church and rectory.
- Rev. P. Lino Ramellini
Together with Father Curry, oversaw purchase of properties and groundbreaking on November 3, 1968.
- Rev. Henry J. Murphythrough 1980 flood
Pastor during the devastating August 14, 1980 flash flood; described the damage to The Catholic Accent.
- Rev. Chester J. Raimer1986–1992
Organized a church choir; built an addition on the social hall; renovated the cemetery; organized a chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- Rev. John M. Butler2013–2019
Ordained May 13, 1972; retired July 1, 2019; previously served parishes across the Diocese of Greensburg.
- Rev. Jose Ricky F. Cortez2019–
From the Philippines; previously pastor of Christ, Prince of Peace, Ford City, and St. Lawrence, Cadogan; named pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Brady's Bend.