About St. Patrick · Lexington, Virginia
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish located in the heart of downtown Lexington, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. The parish serves about 865 registered parishioners together with roughly 300 students from Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Washington and Lee University, and Southern Virginia University. As the Catholic hub for Rockbridge County, St. Patrick's also reaches out to Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and provides prison ministry at the Rockbridge Regional Jail. Founded in 1873 by Irish Catholic immigrants, the parish belongs to the Diocese of Richmond and is currently led by Father J. Maxwell Appiagyei, with Permanent Deacon Paul Gorski assisting.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. Patrick of Ireland
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Maxwell Appiagyei (Fr. J. Maxwell Appiagyei)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a dynamic, welcoming parish that anchors Catholic life in the Lexington/Rockbridge County area and serves three colleges — Virginia Military Institute, Washington and Lee, and Southern Virginia University — alongside lifelong residents. The parish offers the full sacramental life, daily and Sunday Mass, perpetual-style adoration on Wednesdays, OCIA, K–12 faith formation, youth ministry, a women's Bible study, and outreach through Justice & Peace, a Haiti twinning committee, the Care Portal, and prison ministry at the Rockbridge Regional Jail. With a downtown location, free parking behind the church, and live-streamed Sunday Mass on YouTube, it is an accessible spiritual home for permanent residents, students, and visitors alike.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Fridays: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
- All Saturdays: 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
- Sundays: 4:30 – 4:45 p.m. (students only)
- And by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- First Fridays: 12:30 p.m. (following 12:00 p.m. Mass)
- First Saturdays: following 9:00 a.m. Mass
History of St. Patrick Parish
St. Patrick Catholic Church traces its roots to 1843, when Irish immigrants settling the Shenandoah Valley organized a Catholic mission from Lynchburg and worshipped in private homes and the local firehouse. By 1872 Bishop James Cardinal Gibbons was planning a permanent parish; in 1873 the community built its first church on Henry Street for $3,000, naming it for the patron saint of Ireland. From 1892 to 1946 the parish reverted to mission status, served by train-commuting priests from Lynchburg. The parish's modern era opened in 1946 with Father Aloys G. Selhorst, C.P.P.S., who built the present Nelson Street church in 1953. In 2023 the parish joyfully celebrated its 150th anniversary with Bishop Barry C. Knestout presiding.
- 1843 — Mission founded from Lynchburg; Mass in homes and the firehouse
- 1873 — First church built on Henry Street (still standing; now Gospel Way Church of God in Christ)
- 1892–1946 — Mission period served by Lynchburg priests traveling by Saturday train
- 1946 — Father Aloys G. Selhorst, C.P.P.S., arrives; Society of the Precious Blood staffs the parish until 1979
- 1953 — Present church at 221 W. Nelson Street built and dedicated by Bishop Peter L. Ireton
- 2023 — 150th anniversary celebrated with theme 'Christ Behind Us, Christ Before Us'
Pastor and Staff
St. Patrick Catholic Church is led by Father J. Maxwell Appiagyei. Originally from Ghana, Fr. Maxwell was sent by his bishop in 2019 to the Diocese of Richmond, where he served as Parochial Vicar at St. Edward Parish in Richmond and then Pastor of the Cluster of St. Peter Pro Cathedral, St. Patrick, and St. John, Richmond. He was appointed Parish Administrator of St. Patrick Lexington on July 1, 2023, and Pastor in September 2023. He is assisted by Permanent Deacon Paul Gorski. Kathleen Nowacki-Correia serves as Director of Religious Education, Susan de Marcellus as Volunteer Youth Minister, Barbara Czekner with Justice & Peace, Tracy Lyons with the Hospitality Committee, Patricia Powell with the Haiti Committee, and Carol with the women's Bible study.
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Maxwell Appiagyei
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Paul Gorski
- Director of Religious Education: Kathleen Nowacki-Correia ([email protected])
- Volunteer Youth Minister: Susan de Marcellus
- Justice & Peace: Barbara Czekner (540-841-1427)
- Haiti Committee: Patricia Powell (540-600-2172)
- Hospitality: Tracy Lyons (540-319-1464)
Mission Statement
Through the grace of God, the members of Saint Patrick Parish accept the task of proclaiming the Gospel, seeking the Kingdom of God, and building their community on the foundation of Jesus Christ. They proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, teach the Catholic faith to children and to those seeking to enter the Church, reach out to the unchurched, and show their Christianity through action — feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and reaching out to those neglected, deprived, disabled, rejected, and oppressed. The parish works for societal and governmental change to assist those in need and welcomes the young adults brought by the colleges and universities of the area as a gift to the community.
- Proclaim the Gospel and teach the Catholic faith
- Reach out to the unchurched and welcome newcomers
- Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick
- Work for justice and support those in need
- Welcome and support college students from W&L, VMI, SVU, and DSLCC
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Patrick's supports the lifelong process of Christian formation for all ages through OCIA, K–12 Christian Faith Formation classes, Children's Liturgy of the Word, Sacramental Preparation, Vacation Bible School, Youth Ministry, and Adult Faith Formation programs. Classes for K–High School are taught by Virtus-certified catechists on Sunday mornings from mid-September through early June, using the Ignatius Press 'Faith and Life' series for the lower school and the 'Didache' series from the Mid-West Theological Forum for high school. Registration is $25 per child with scholarships available. Second graders prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist; Confirmation preparation is available in Grades 10–12.
- Christian Faith Formation: K–High School (Ignatius Press 'Faith and Life'; 'Didache' for HS)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, college students, and children over 7
- Sacramental Prep: First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (Grade 2); Confirmation (Grades 10–12)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Vacation Bible School
- Adult Faith Formation & New Evangelization Team
Youth Ministry — Enkindle!
Enkindle! is the parish's youth ministry program. Teens fortify their knowledge of Scripture and the Church's teachings through fun, social activities led by Volunteer Youth Minister Susan de Marcellus and Virtus-certified collegians and cadets from Washington and Lee and VMI.
- Led by Susan de Marcellus with help from W&L and VMI students
- Open to parish teenagers
Adult Faith Formation
Adult formation includes a Wednesday Women's Bible Study from 9:30–11:00 a.m., periodic adult faith formation sessions, and intergenerational events several times a year. The Adult Faith Formation and New Evangelization Team plans 40 Hours of Adoration, the Corpus Christi Procession, Advent and Lenten Evenings of Recollection with guest preachers, the Theology on the Town guest speaker series, and Christ Thru Culture offerings that combine the arts, education, and evangelization.
- Wednesday Women's Bible Study (9:30–11:00 a.m.)
- 40 Hours of Adoration
- Corpus Christi Procession
- Advent & Lenten Evenings of Recollection
- Theology on the Town guest speaker series
- Christ Thru Culture events
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms and Marriages are prepared on an individual basis; weddings are scheduled on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received in Grade 2; Confirmation in Grades 10–12. Adults and older children enter the Church through OCIA. The Anointing of the Sick is available by contacting the parish office.
- Baptism — individual preparation; contact Fr. Maxwell
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — Grade 2
- Confirmation — Grades 10–12
- Marriage — Saturday weddings at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
- Anointing of the Sick — by request
- OCIA — for inquirers and catechumens
Outreach & Social Justice
Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, the parish's Justice & Peace Committee discerns and responds to local needs in collaboration with other churches and community-based organizations. The Haiti Committee maintains a twinning relationship with the parish in Fond Pierre, Haiti, through work projects, visits, and prayer. The parish participates in the Care Portal to assist local children and families in need, and St. Patrick's also maintains a Respect Life ministry and a prison ministry at Rockbridge Regional Jail.
- Justice & Peace Committee (contact Barbara Czekner, 540-841-1427)
- Haiti Committee — twinning with Fond Pierre, Haiti, alongside St. Rose of Lima, Freehold NJ (contact Patricia Powell, 540-600-2172)
- Care Portal — collaboration with surrounding local churches for children and families in need (contact Ahn Eichholz, [email protected])
- Respect Life
- Prison Ministry at Rockbridge Regional Jail
Parish Life & Hospitality
The Hospitality Committee coordinates parish social activities including the annual St. Patrick's Day Feast and parish receptions. The parish also sponsors incoming VMI freshmen (RATs) and welcomes college students from Washington and Lee, VMI, Southern Virginia University, and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College through its Catholic Campus Ministry and VMI Newman Club. Volunteers are always needed as catechists, substitute catechists, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and for special events.
- Hospitality Committee — Tracy Lyons, 540-319-1464
- Annual St. Patrick's Day Feast and parish receptions
- Sponsorship of incoming VMI freshmen (RATs)
- Catholic Campus Ministry at W&L and W&L Law School
- VMI Newman Club
- Outreach to SVU and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Visiting & Contact
Whether you are new to Lexington, hiking in the nearby mountains, or visiting a student at Washington and Lee or VMI, St. Patrick's welcomes you to register with the parish and get involved. Parking is available immediately behind the church. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The parish emergency line is 540-516-5315.
- Address: 221 West Nelson Street, Lexington, VA 24450
- Mailing: P.O. Box 725, Lexington, VA 24450
- Phone: (540) 463-3533
- Emergency line: 540-516-5315
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Parking immediately behind the church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Aloys G. Selhorst, C.P.P.S.1946–1956
Sent by Bishop Ireton via the Society of the Precious Blood; built the present Nelson Street church, dedicated October 1953.
- Father Štefan MigačJuly 2021 – June/July 2023
Pastor during the 150th anniversary year; said 'No one ever wants to leave St. Patrick.'
- Rev. Joseph Maxwell AppiagyeiJuly 2023 – present
Arrived July 1, 2023 as Parish Administrator; appointed Pastor in September 2023. Previously served in the Diocese of Richmond at St. Edward Parish (parochial vicar) and the Cluster of St. Peter Pro Cathedral, St. Patrick, and St. John, Richmond.