About St. Patrick · Elkhorn, Nebraska
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a large, historic parish in Elkhorn, Nebraska, in the western Omaha metro, founded in 1868 by Irish Catholic settlers and now serving more than 3,500 families. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Omaha and worships in a brand-new, 1,300-seat church at 18602 West Maple Road, dedicated and consecrated on June 5, 2025 after a $42.3 million capital campaign. The parish also runs St. Patrick's Catholic School (Preschool–8th grade, 790+ students) and oversees the historic Mount Calvary Cemetery, and offers daily Mass, multiple Sunday Masses, a robust adoration chapel, a wide slate of ministries, and an extensive clergy and staff team including a pastor, senior associate, senior sacramental priest, and five permanent deacons.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas M. Fangman, Jr. (Fr. Tom Fangman)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a thriving, 3,500-family parish with something for nearly every age and stage — multiple Sunday Masses, a daily 8:15 a.m. Mass, a perpetual-style adoration chapel (Our Lady of Knock Chapel) with an ostensorium, a robust OCIA/RCIA process, youth ministry through SPY (St. Pat's Youth), extensive adult formation (ALPHA, Bible studies, That Man is You!), and dozens of liturgical, service, social, and leadership ministries (Knights of Columbus, Women of St. Patrick's, Human Needs Committee, Respect Life, and more). The parish is also home to a thriving Preschool–8th-grade Catholic school of 790+ students, the historic Mount Calvary Cemetery, and a brand-new, 1,300-seat church campus dedicated in June 2025 that was built to serve the booming western Omaha/Elkhorn community for generations to come.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Adoration times
- Open adoration in the Our Lady of Knock Chapel anytime there is not Mass — the chapel has an ostensorium and visitors may open the doors to sit in Jesus' presence
- Tuesdays or weekdays 12:15–1:15 p.m. (committed adoration hour opportunity)
Parish History
St. Patrick's was founded in 1868 when a group of Irish Catholic settlers in western Douglas County banded together to build a Catholic church in Elkhorn, naming it in honor of their patron. For its first three decades the community was served by itinerant priests, and the early church buildings suffered a remarkable run of disasters: destroyed by fire the year it was built, rebuilt, struck by a tornado in 1872, rebuilt again, and lost to fire once more in 1899. A 1900 church at 311 Pacific Street, built under Fr. Henry Hoheisel, became the parish's long-term home. Subsequent pastors — including Fr. John Brock (1931–c.1956), Fr. Martin "Fr. Pat" Petras (from 1956), Fr. Nelson Newman (1984–1993), Fr. Robert Irwin (1993–1997), and Fr. Tom Fangman (2016–present) — guided the parish through growth, the 1982 dedication of its previous worship space, the 1993 opening and 2000 re-opening of its school, and the June 5, 2025 dedication of a brand-new, 1,300-seat church.
- Founded 1868 by Irish Catholic settlers
- Five founding families commemorated by five stones at the new church
- Original church lost to fire, rebuilt, hit by 1872 tornado, rebuilt, lost to fire again in 1899
- 1900 Pacific Street church served the parish for decades; windows and spindles preserved in the 2025 church
- Previous worship space dedicated March 7, 1982
- Fr. Tom Fangman is the current pastor (since 2016)
The New Church (2025)
After years of explosive growth in western Douglas County, parish leaders launched a $38 million capital campaign — 'One Church. One Future. Growing in Faith Together.' — and built a 12-acre new campus on land donated by Frank and Jane Krejci at 185th and West Maple Road. Designed by RDG Planning & Design and completed in June 2025, the campus features a 1,300-seat main church, a 100-seat day chapel (Our Lady of Knock Chapel), a 600-seat parish hall, administrative offices, and numerous ministry and meeting spaces. Archbishop George Lucas broke ground on June 4, 2023, and the parish celebrated the formal dedication and consecration on June 5, 2025. Stained-glass windows and choir spindles from the 1900 Pacific Street church were rescued in fall 2024 and incorporated into the new building, linking today's parishioners with the generations who came before them.
- 1300-seat main church, 100-seat day chapel, 600-seat parish hall
- Architect: RDG Planning & Design
- Cylindrical bell tower inspired by Ireland's round towers
- Granite tiles etched with Celtic knots, rings and crosses
- Capital campaign: $42.3M+ raised against a $38M goal; 1,200+ of 3,000+ families participated
- Groundbreaking June 4, 2023; dedication June 5, 2025
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by a large pastoral team. Fr. Tom Fangman has been pastor since 2016; Fr. Andy Phan serves as Senior Associate Pastor and Fr. Gary Ostrander as Senior Sacramental Priest. The Archdiocese of Omaha directory additionally lists Fr. Timothy W. Forget. Five permanent deacons serve the parish: Dcn. Jim Ricketts, Dcn. Jay Wingler, Dcn. Joe Hartnett, Dcn. Norm Tierney, and retired Dcn. Dan Perchal; the archdiocese directory also lists Dcn. Thomas E. Manhart. Marty Cordes is the Director of Facilities, and Mrs. Kami Landenberger is the Principal of St. Patrick's Catholic School.
- Fr. Tom Fangman — Pastor (since 2016)
- Fr. Andy Phan — Senior Associate Pastor
- Fr. Gary Ostrander — Senior Sacramental Priest
- Fr. Timothy W. Forget — Pastor (per Archdiocese of Omaha directory)
- Deacons Jim Ricketts, Jay Wingler, Joe Hartnett, Norm Tierney, Dan Perchal (retired), and Thomas Manhart
- Marty Cordes — Director of Facilities
- Kami Landenberger — School Principal
St. Patrick's Catholic School
Education has been central to the parish's mission since 1993, when Archbishop Elden Curtiss dedicated a new parish grade school — though that school closed after just two years. The lessons learned helped St. Patrick's successfully reopen on August 23, 2000, with 80 children, and the school has continued to grow alongside the parish. Today, St. Patrick's Catholic School (Preschool through 8th grade) serves more than 790 students at the western campus at 20500 W Maple Road. The previous 1981 church on that campus is now used as a chapel and gathering space for the school and the Family Faith Formation program.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- More than 790 students
- Located at 20500 W Maple Road (western campus)
- Principal: Mrs. Kami Landenberger
- Originally opened 1993, closed after 2 years, reopened August 23, 2000
Faith Formation & Adult Education
The parish runs an extensive formation program for children, youth, and adults. Family Faith Formation is based at the western campus, and the parish's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) welcomes those exploring the Catholic faith, with volunteer formation teams. For adults, the parish offers Bible and theology studies, the ALPHA course, 'That Man is You!' men's program, and Vacation Bible School for children. The parish also maintains a Respect Life Ministry and a Sunshine Group for parishioners needing fellowship and outreach.
- Family Faith Formation (Preschool–8)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Adult Bible / Theology Studies
- ALPHA course
- That Man is You!
- Vacation Bible School
- Respect Life Ministry
- Sunshine Group
Parish Ministries & Get Involved
St. Patrick's offers dozens of ways to serve, organized around Liturgy/Music/Prayer, Outreach/Service/Social, Faith Formation, and Leadership. Liturgical roles include altar server, sacristan, lector/commentator, EMHC, greeter, usher, church decor, music ministry (instrumental and vocal), and Communion to the Homebound. Service and social groups include the Knights of Columbus, Men's Club, Women of St. Patrick's (WoSP), Human Needs Committee, Sewing/Quilting, Fall Festival, and Social Fundraising (Golf Outing, SPIRIT Auction Dinner). Leadership committees include Parish Pastoral Council, Finance, Faith Formation, Maintenance, Safety, School Advisory, Vocations, Cemetery Board, and Advancement — many elected each spring.
- Liturgical: Altar Server, EMHC, Lector, Music Ministry, Sacristan, Usher, Greeters, Communion to Homebound
- Service: Knights of Columbus, Men's Club, Women of St. Patrick's, Human Needs Committee, Sewing/Quilting, Fall Festival
- Faith Formation volunteers for OCIA, SPY (St. Pat's Youth), and VBS
- Leadership: Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Faith Formation, Maintenance, Safety, School Advisory, Vocations, Cemetery Board, Advancement
Mount Calvary Cemetery
St. Patrick's Parish also oversees Mount Calvary Cemetery, a hilltop cemetery overlooking the Elkhorn River valley at 808 North Skyline Drive in Elkhorn, Nebraska. The cemetery's history goes back to 1861, predating the parish itself by seven years, and remains an active burial ground with plots available for purchase. Inquiries about the cemetery can be directed to Director of Facilities Marty Cordes at (402) 938-4911.
- 808 North Skyline Drive, Elkhorn, NE
- Hilltop setting overlooking the Elkhorn River valley
- History dating back to 1861
- Contact: Marty Cordes, Director of Facilities, (402) 938-4911
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
In addition to daily and Sunday Masses, the parish celebrates the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing/Communion to the Homebound. Couples preparing for marriage are assisted by deacons and lay couples, and deacons help lead Baptism preparation classes. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to homebound parishioners and to local facilities, and the parish schedules Mass Intentions for both the parish church and the assisted living facilities it serves.
- Baptism (preparation classes offered)
- Marriage preparation (deacon and lay-couple assisted)
- Communion to the Homebound and Facilities
- Anointing of the Sick available through the parish
- Mass Intentions open for scheduling
Two Campuses & Visit
St. Patrick's now operates a two-campus model to serve its growing community. The new main campus at 18602 W Maple Road (opened 2025) houses the new church, the Our Lady of Knock Chapel, parish offices, and the parish hall. The western campus at 20500 W Maple Road continues to host St. Patrick's Catholic School (Preschool–8) and the Family Faith Formation program, with the previous 1981 worship building now serving as a chapel and school gathering space. Mount Calvary Cemetery is maintained separately on Skyline Drive.
- New Church Campus: 18602 W Maple Road, Elkhorn, NE 68022 — opened 2025
- Western Campus: 20500 W Maple Road — school and Family Faith Formation
- Previous 1981 church now used as a school chapel / gathering space
- Mount Calvary Cemetery: 808 North Skyline Drive, Elkhorn, NE
- Parish phone: (402) 289-4289
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Wallace (and other itinerant priests)1868–c.1900
Served the early Irish-Catholic community from St. Patrick's in Gretna and from St. Peter's in Omaha, including Frs. James Bruke and Tom Walsh.
- Fr. Henry Hoheiselc.1900–
Built the new 1900 church at 311 Pacific Street, one block west of Highway 31, after the original church was lost to fire for the second time.
- Fr. John Brock1931–c.1956
Served 25 years; oversaw growth and renovations. Parish men honored him by naming the local Knights of Columbus council after him (1946).
- Fr. Martin "Fr. Pat" Petras1956–
His appointment in 1956 brought the parish to its Highway 31 and West Maple Road campus; Boland Hall was built in 1966.
- Fr. Nelson Newman1984–1993
Completed the new Parish Center below the church; made plans that led to the opening of the elementary school in 1993.
- Fr. Robert Irwin1993–1997
Arrived June 1993; led the parish for four years as the school opened and then closed.
- Fr. Tom Fangman2016–present
Native of Omaha; Christ the King, Creighton Prep, Kansas University, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (M.A. in Counseling and Theology); ordained 1992 by Archbishop Daniel Sheehan. Led the 'One Church. One Future. Growing in Faith Together.' campaign and the construction of the new 2025 church.