About St. Patrick · La Salle, Illinois
St. Patrick Church in LaSalle, Illinois is the oldest living parish church in Illinois, first conceived in 1838 to minister to Irish-Catholic immigrants working on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Construction of the current limestone building began in May 1846 and it was consecrated on April 11, 1853. Today St. Patrick is one of three worship sites of the newly-formed Saint John Baptist de La Salle Parish in the Diocese of Peoria, alongside St. Hyacinth Church and Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine. The parish offers Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Church, confession on Saturday afternoons in the St. Patrick Relic Chapel, and is part of the Catholic community of the Illinois River Valley whose roots trace to Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet's 1673 journey up the Illinois River.
- Established
- 1838
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Very Rev. Thomas Otto (Pastor of LaSalle Parishes)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Patrick offers a rare opportunity to worship in the oldest living parish church in Illinois, a beautiful 1848 Joliet-limestone landmark that has served Illinois Valley Catholics since 1838. As part of the new Saint John Baptist de La Salle Parish family, parishioners can worship at three historic churches — including the Traditional Latin Mass at Holy Rosary Shrine and a Spanish-language liturgy at St. Hyacinth — while being served by the Academy of St. Carlo Acutis and a network of ministries. The parish mission is simply to "Nourish active Catholics, Re-connect with inactive Catholics, and Invite all," making it a welcoming home whether you are deeply rooted, returning, or simply curious.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30-3:30 PM — St. Patrick Church (Relic Chapel)
- Sunday 9:15-9:45 AM — Holy Rosary Shrine
- Monday 4:30-5:25 PM — Holy Rosary Confessionals
- Wednesday/Thursday 7:00-8:00 PM — Holy Rosary Confessionals
- Friday 4:30-5:25 PM — Holy Rosary Confessionals
Parish History
Catholicism in LaSalle dates to 1673 when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet traveled upstream on the Illinois River. The parish itself was founded in 1838 when two Italian Vincentian missionaries, Fathers Raho and Parodi, built a log Church of the Holy Cross on land donated by the canal company. Within a decade, the parish outgrew the log church and the current Joliet-limestone neo-classical church was designed by canal laborer Patrick Joseph Mullaney; construction began with a ceremonial blessing on May 24, 1846 and the building was dedicated in 1851 and consecrated on April 11, 1853. A plaque at the entrance proclaims it the 'oldest living parish church in Illinois.'
- 1838 — original log Church of the Holy Cross founded by Fr. Raho, C.M. and Fr. Parodi, C.M.
- 1846 — cornerstone of the limestone church laid May 24 by canal workers, townspeople and farmers
- 1851 — church dedicated June 1
- 1853 — church consecrated April 11
- 1855 — St. Vincent Asylum school opened, staffed by Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
- April 7, 2025 — consolidated into Saint John Baptist de La Salle Parish
Worship Sites of Saint John Baptist de La Salle Parish
St. Patrick is one of three historic worship sites that together form Saint John Baptist de La Salle Parish. St. Hyacinth Church at 927 10th Street (established 1874) hosts the Saturday Vigil, the early Sunday Mass and the Spanish liturgy. The Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine at 529 4th Street (established 1925) is a Diocesan Shrine to War Veterans and offers the Sunday Traditional Latin Mass and an evening English Mass. The parish offices and St. Patrick Church share the 725 4th Street campus.
- St. Patrick Church — 725 4th Street (est. 1838)
- St. Hyacinth Church — 927 10th Street (est. 1874)
- Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine — 529 4th Street (est. 1925, Diocesan Shrine to War Veterans)
- Academy of St. Carlo Acutis — 650 4th Street
Parish Staff & Clergy
The three worship sites of Saint John Baptist de La Salle Parish share a single pastoral team led by Very Rev. Thomas Otto as Pastor of LaSalle Parishes, with Rev. Jeffery A. Small serving as Parochial Vicar and Rector of Holy Rosary Shrine. Two secretaries, Rosa Vazquez and Gisela Bustos, staff the parish office alongside a Parish Life Coordinator and Pastoral Care staff.
- Very Rev. Thomas Otto — Pastor of LaSalle Parishes
- Rev. Jeffery A. Small — Parochial Vicar; Rector of Holy Rosary Shrine
- Rosa Vazquez — Secretary ([email protected])
- Gisela Bustos — Secretary ([email protected])
- Parish Life Coordinator
- Pastoral Care staff
Academy of St. Carlo Acutis (Parish School)
The parish's Catholic school, the Academy of St. Carlo Acutis, is located at 650 4th Street — just down the street from St. Patrick Church. A 9:15 AM Mass is added on Wednesdays when the school is in session.
- Location: 650 4th Street, LaSalle, IL 61301
- Patron: St. Carlo Acutis
- Wednesday school-day Mass: 9:15 AM
Faith Formation & Sacraments
The parish publishes sacramental information including a Reconciliation guide in English, weekly bulletins, and livestream access to weekday Masses and Rosary for those unable to attend in person. Inquiries about Baptism, Marriage, and other sacraments are handled through the parish office.
- Reconciliation guide available in English on the parish website
- Sacramental inquiries: parish office 815-223-0641
- Bulletin published weekly
- Livestream of weekday Masses and Rosary via Facebook
Devotions & Livestream
The parish livestreams its weekday Masses at 8:00 AM and the weekday Rosary at 3:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Those unable to attend in person can watch Mass live or view recent services on the parish's Facebook page.
- Weekday Mass livestream — 8:00 AM
- Weekday Rosary livestream — 3:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Bulletin and recent services available on Facebook
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Free parking is available at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 725 4th Street. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached by phone at 815-223-0641 (fax 815-223-0523) or by email through the secretaries.
- Address: 725 4th Street, LaSalle, IL 61301
- Phone: 815-223-0641
- Fax: 815-223-0523
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 10 AM – 5 PM
- Free parking on site
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Blaisius Raho, C.M.1838-1846
One of two Italian Vincentian (Lazarist) missionaries who founded the La Salle Mission; co-founded the original Church of the Holy Cross log church in 1838.
- Rev. Aloysius John Mary Parodi, C.M.1838-1846
Co-founder with Fr. Raho of the La Salle Mission; departed May 1846 to become vicar-general of the Diocese of Monterey.
- Fr. Mark Anthonyafter 1846
Pastor under whom the current limestone church was designed and built; raised funds from St. Louis and New Orleans.