About St. Patrick · Lowell, Massachusetts
St. Patrick Parish is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Lowell, Massachusetts, founded in 1831 to serve Irish immigrant laborers building the city's mills and canals. Today it is a vibrant multi-cultural and multi-lingual community that celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, drawing worshippers from more than thirty countries. The parish worships in a striking Gothic Revival granite church at 282 Suffolk Street, designed by the celebrated 19th-century architect Patrick C. Keely and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Boston and is currently pastored by Rev. William Acevedo, assisted by two parochial vicars and a multilingual staff.
- Established
- 1831
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. William Acevedo
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Patrick's welcomes Catholics and newcomers from more than thirty countries into one tightly-knit parish family where weekend Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Worshippers find a full sacramental life — daily and weekend Mass, reconciliation several times a week, baptism, marriage preparation, anointing of the sick, and a vibrant religious education and RCIA program — alongside active parish groups such as the Charismatic Prayer Group, the Neocatechumenal Way, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, and Catholic Charities referrals. With a National Register-listed Gothic Revival sanctuary at its heart, a parish hall available for community events, and a staff that ministers in three languages, St. Patrick's offers both deep historic roots and a genuinely multicultural home for any Catholic family in Greater Lowell.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday after 8:00 AM Mass until 9:45 AM
- Sunday after 10:00 AM Mass until 11:45 AM
- Thursday 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Chapel)
- Thursday 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM (Chapel)
- Vietnamese community: 20 minutes before and after Sunday Mass
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:00 AM onward (Chapel)
- Sunday 7:00 AM onward (Chapel)
History of St. Patrick Parish
Founded in 1831 as the first Catholic church in the Merrimack Valley, St. Patrick's grew up alongside Lowell's Irish canal- and mill-workers. The original wooden church was dedicated on July 3, 1831, and within fifteen years the parish had outgrown it. Between 1853 and 1874, architect Patrick C. Keely's Gothic Revival granite church rose on Suffolk Street; Bishop Williams consecrated it in 1874 after parishioners paid off the debt. A 1904 fire gutted the interior and the church was rebuilt by 1906. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, and the parish continues to serve a multi-cultural Catholic community from more than thirty countries.
- Founded July 3, 1831 — first Catholic parish in Lowell
- Original wooden church built by Irish millworkers
- Present Gothic Revival granite church designed by Patrick C. Keely, 1853–1874
- Fire of 1904; interior rebuilt by 1906
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985
- Merged with Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish in 2004
Sacraments
St. Patrick's celebrates all seven sacraments, with preparation programs for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation (RCIA/RICA), and Marriage. Anointing of the Sick is regularly offered at weekday and first-weekend Masses as well as by appointment.
- Baptism by appointment; pre-baptismal class last Friday of the month after the 6:00 PM Mass; documents due two weeks before celebration
- First Communion and Confirmation through the Religious Education / RCIA program
- Eucharist at every Mass on the parish schedule
- Anointing of the Sick at the 6:00 PM Mass on Thursdays and Fridays and at all first-weekend Masses
- Marriage preparation — call the parish office at least six months in advance
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish runs an active Religious Education and Faith Formation program under Coordinator Evelyn Rosales, offering classes for children and the RCIA (RICA) process for adults preparing for First Communion, Confirmation, and full reception into the Catholic Church. The Faith Formation Office is open Friday evenings and Saturday mornings and can be reached at 351-209-7779.
- Religious Education Coordinator: Evelyn Rosales
- Faith Formation Office hours: Friday 6:00–8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- RCIA / RICA for First Communion and Confirmation (351-209-7779)
- Baptism preparation class — last Friday of the month after the 6:00 PM Mass
Parish Life and Ministries
St. Patrick's describes itself as a multi-cultural and multi-lingual Roman Catholic community that is 'closely united and caring' despite its mix of language and culture. Parish life revolves around its diverse Mass schedule, sacramental celebrations, prayer groups, youth events, and outreach to those in need.
- Grupo de Oración Carismático — Charismatic Prayer Group, Wednesdays 6:00 PM in the Chapel, beginning with Holy Mass
- Camino Neocatecumenal (Neocatechumenal Way) — Saturday evening Spanish Masses
- Vietnamese Catholic community with its own Mass and devotions
- Hispanic Catholic community with Spanish-language Masses and ministries
- Youth activities — Car Wash, Talent Show, Zumba Class, Marian Pilgrimage
- St. Patrick's Day Mass and parish celebrations
- Parish dinner-dance and annual parish festival
Outreach and Charitable Works
The parish reaches beyond its walls through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Catholic Charities referrals, and parish-based fundraising for parish families in need. The annual parish festival is also the parish's largest fundraiser of the year, with parishioners helping prepare, serve, and deliver food.
- St. Vincent de Paul food pantry — 978-608-6908
- Catholic Charities — 978-452-1421
- Food Assistance referrals via the parish office — 978-459-0561
- Annual parish festival (volunteers needed for food preparation, serving, delivery, kitchen cleanup, and tent setup)
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. Patrick's is pastored by Rev. William Acevedo and is served by two (and at times three) parochial vicars, a bilingual parish secretary, a faith formation coordinator, and a business manager. The staff ministers in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
- Pastor: Rev. William Acevedo ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Maciej K. Araszkiewicz
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Tinh V. Nguyen (Vietnamese community)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Benito Moreno (per parish bulletin)
- Parish Secretary / Pastoral Associate: Norma Diaz
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Evelyn Rosales
- Business Manager: Lina Arenas (978-337-9382)
Facilities and Rentals
Beyond the historic church itself, St. Patrick's maintains a parish hall that is available for rental by parish and community groups. Memorial donations for altar flowers ($50, two weeks' notice) and bread-and-wine offerings ($50) can be arranged through the parish office in memory or honor of loved ones.
- St. Patrick Hall available for rent — contact Lina Arenas, 978-337-9382
- Altar Flowers Memorial donation — $50, two weeks' notice
- Bread and Wine Memorial offering — $50, with announcement in the bulletin
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 978-459-0561 or by email at [email protected]. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM). The parish encourages registration for new members.
- Address: 282 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA 01854
- Parish Office Phone: 978-459-0561
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch)
- Faith Formation Phone: 351-209-7779
- Business Manager: 978-337-9382
- Parish registration form available online and at the church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Mahoneycirca 1828–1836
Mission priest from a nearby town who periodically celebrated Mass for Irish canal workers; oversaw the dedication of the original wooden St. Patrick's on July 3, 1831. Left Lowell in 1836 to work in Boston.
- Rev. E. J. McCool1836–
Succeeded Fr. Mahoney as the parish's resident pastor after Lowell was established as its own congregation.
- Rev. Michael O'Brien
Pastor during the long construction of the present Gothic Revival church; oversaw the 1874 consecration after parishioners paid off the building debt.
- Rev. John O'Brien
Pastor during a period when anti-Catholic Know-Nothing committees harassed the parish.
- Rev. James Taggart
Pastor in 2005 who led the parish's 175th anniversary celebrations around the Solemnity of the Epiphany.
- Rev. William Acevedopresent
Current pastor; previously the parochial vicar at St. Patrick's before being named pastor.