About St. Patrick · Rolla, Missouri
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Jefferson City located at 17 Saint Patrick Lane in Rolla, Missouri, serving as the spiritual home for the Phelps County Catholic Community alongside Immaculate Conception in St. James and St. Anthony of Padua in Rosati. Founded in 1862 to minister to Irish Catholic railroad workers, it is the oldest Catholic parish in Rolla and today operates St. Patrick Catholic School and the Cardinal Newman Catholic Campus Ministry Center at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Worship is offered daily in a Carthage-stone church first dedicated in 1947, with weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, OCIA, PSR, a robust music program, Knights of Columbus Council #2627, and active scouting and youth ministries.
- Established
- 1862
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Doke
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Patrick welcomes families, college students, and lifelong Catholics into a parish with more than 160 years of history in Rolla and an active schedule of daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and Reconciliation. The parish offers a full sacramental life — OCIA for adults becoming Catholic, Parish School of Religion for public-school youth, Confirmation and Baptism preparation, and a school for Pre-K through grade school — alongside a robust music ministry of choirs, cantors, ensembles, and organists. Active organizations like Knights of Columbus Council #2627, Boy Scout Troop 85, Cub Scout Pack 85, the parish Quilters, and the Young Adults Group give parishioners of every age concrete ways to serve the church and the wider Phelps County Catholic Community.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM at St. Patrick
- Sunday: 7:15 – 7:45 AM at St. Patrick
- Tuesday: 4:30 – 5:15 PM at St. Patrick
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM at St. Anthony in Rosati
- Wednesday: 8:15 AM at St. Patrick
- Wednesday: 7:30 – 8:00 PM at St. Patrick when Missouri S&T is in session
- Thursday: 7:00 AM at St. Patrick
- Friday: 8:15 AM at St. Patrick
- By appointment, or after Mass at St. Anthony on Tuesdays
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month: 9:00 AM – 7:45 PM with Benediction at 7:45 PM in the Church
- Wednesday: 2:00 – 7:45 PM with Benediction at 7:45 PM in the Chapel
- Wednesday: open 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM when Missouri S&T is in session
Parish History
St. Patrick was established in 1862 when Father Francis Patrick Gallagher arrived in Rolla to minister to Irish Catholic railroad workers during the Civil War. By June of that year the parish broke ground at Seventh and State Streets for the first building in Rolla built exclusively for religious services; the first Mass was celebrated on the third Sunday of September 1862. The original church served the parish for seventy-five years before the current Carthage stone church was dedicated on March 9, 1947, under Father Harry J. Lambert. The school followed in 1953, the parish hall in 1975, a 1979 renovation, a pipe organ in 1984, and a 1992 expansion under Father Donald Antweiler that preserved the stone exterior, wood-beamed ceilings, and the stained-glass window of St. Patrick on the chapel wall. The parish history is drawn from "Proclaiming the Good News in the Heart of Missouri" by Loretta Pastva, SND.
- Founded 1862 by Father Francis Patrick Gallagher
- Original church at Seventh and State Streets — first building in Rolla built for religious services
- Current Carthage stone church dedicated March 9, 1947
- School completed 1953; parish hall 1975
- Renovated 1979; pipe organ installed 1984
- Expansion completed 1992 under Father Donald Antweiler
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Patrick offers lifelong faith formation for children, youth, and adults. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides weekly religion classes for Catholic children who do not attend St. Patrick Catholic School, meeting most Sunday mornings from 9:15–10:15 AM. PSR also prepares young people for the reception of First Sacraments. Adult Faith Formation offers occasional programs that help parishioners grow in the Faith, with Greg Stratman as the contact. Free digital content is available to every parishioner through FORMED.org, generously sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council #2627 — parishioners sign up at formed.org using parish zip code 65401.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — Sundays 9:15–10:15 AM; contact Alisa Arthur
- Adult Faith Formation — contact Greg Stratman
- Confirmation Preparation
- Baptism Preparation (parental class required prior to child's birth)
- FORMED.org digital content — free for parishioners, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council #2627
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the parish's pathway for adults interested in the Catholic faith, whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or a returning Catholic. Coordinated by Deacon Matt McLaughlin, OCIA walks inquirers through the Period of Evangelization, the Catechumenate, the Rite of Election, the Period of Purification and Enlightenment during Lent, and the Easter Vigil celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist, followed by the Mystagogy period through Pentecost. The parish emphasizes that OCIA is not a one-time catechetical class but the beginning of a lifelong journey of conversion.
- OCIA coordinator: Deacon Matt McLaughlin
- Open to inquirers, catechumens, candidates, and returning Catholics
- Culminates in the Easter Vigil with Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist
Sacred Music Ministry
St. Patrick maintains a robust music program led by Music Director David Samson. The Adult Choir, directed by Sharyn Gamm, rehearses every Thursday at 6:30 PM in the church and sings monthly at the Sunday Mass plus select Holy Day liturgies, with a repertoire that spans Gregorian chant to modern compositions. The Newman Choir, led by Samantha Thompson, rehearses Tuesdays from 7:00–8:00 PM in the church and sings at the 8:15 PM Mass at the Newman Center and at the 7:00 PM Sunday Mass when Missouri S&T is in session, and is open to all area college students. Cantors, ensembles, organists, pianists, and instrumentalists all enrich parish worship, and reading music is welcomed but not required.
- Music Director: David Samson
- Adult Choir — Sharyn Gamm; rehearses Thursdays 6:30 PM
- Newman Choir — Samantha Thompson; rehearses Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 PM
- Cantors, Contemporary Ensembles, Organists, Pianists, Instrumentalists
Parish Organizations & Community Life
Parishioners of every age find ways to serve through St. Patrick's organizations. Knights of Columbus Council #2627 is the parish's fraternal organization of Catholic men, supporting parish, school, and Newman Center needs and sponsoring free FORMED.org registration. Boy Scout Troop 85 (grades 5–12) and Cub Scout Pack 85 (grades K–5), both led by Deacon Matt McLaughlin, develop leadership and service. The Parish Quilters meet Wednesday mornings to sew quilts for parish raffles whose proceeds benefit the parish, school, and Newman Center. The Young Adults Group gathers graduate students, non-traditional students, and young adults for faith, fellowship, and service.
- Knights of Columbus Council #2627
- Cub Scout Pack 85 (grades K–5)
- Boy Scout Troop 85 (grades 5–12)
- Parish Quilters — Wednesday mornings; contact Fran Clifton
- Young Adults Group
St. Patrick Catholic School
St. Patrick Catholic School is located at 19 Saint Patrick Lane in Rolla, just steps from the parish church, with the school office reachable at 573-364-1162. The school provides a Christ-like learning, caring, loving, and sharing environment in partnership with the parish, with Bonnie Brainard currently serving as Interim Principal. The school's motto is "Learning Caring Loving Sharing." A hot-lunch payment portal is offered to families, and an admission policy and student handbook are published on the school's site.
- Address: 19 Saint Patrick Lane, Rolla, MO 65401
- Phone: 573-364-1162
- Interim Principal: Bonnie Brainard
- Administrative Assistant: Doris Backes-Delp
- Custodian: Irving Garcia
- Motto: Learning, Caring, Loving, Sharing
Cardinal Newman Catholic Campus Ministry Center
The Cardinal Newman Catholic Campus Ministry Center at Missouri S&T is hosted by St. Patrick Parish and serves the Catholic students of the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. Campus Minister Deacon Matthew McLaughlin leads the ministry with Development Coordinator Garren Gray. The Newman Center offers an 8:15 PM Wednesday Mass and a 7:00 PM Sunday Mass when the university is in session, along with the Newman Choir and various small groups, faith formation, and service opportunities tailored to college life.
- Campus Minister: Deacon Matthew McLaughlin
- Development Coordinator: Garren Gray
- Phone: 573-364-2133; Fax: 573-368-3560
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.rollanewman.org
- Address: P.O. Box 838, Rolla, MO 65402
Phelps County Catholic Community
St. Patrick is the anchor of the Phelps County Catholic Community, a grouping of three parishes within the Diocese of Jefferson City's Southeast Deanery. Together with Immaculate Conception in St. James and St. Anthony of Padua in Rosati, St. Patrick shares sacramental schedules, a community bulletin, and joint ministries. Weekend Masses across the community include Saturday 5:00 PM and Sunday 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM at St. Patrick, Sunday 9:30 AM at Immaculate Conception in St. James, plus the Newman Center's 7:00 PM Sunday Mass when Missouri S&T is in session.
- St. Patrick — 17 Saint Patrick Lane, Rolla, MO 65401 — 573-364-1435
- Immaculate Conception — St. James, MO — http://church.rosati-mo.com
- St. Anthony of Padua — 21670 Co Rd 3640, Rosati, MO — http://church.rosati-mo.com
- Deanery: Southeast, Diocese of Jefferson City
- Joint bulletin and shared ministry calendar
Parish Staff & Contacts
St. Patrick's pastoral team is led by Pastor Fr. Doke and three deacons — Tom Manion, Matt McLaughlin, and Kenneth Arthur. The parish office staff includes Business Manager and Ecclesial Assistant Jennifer O'Day, Secretary Alisa Arthur, Bookkeeper Linda Shuster, Parish Custodian Travis Yoakum, and Bulletin Editor Theresa McCarthy-Brown. The school office staff includes Interim Principal Bonnie Brainard, Administrative Assistant Doris Backes-Delp, and Custodian Irving Garcia. Music Director David Samson oversees the choirs, cantors, ensembles, organists, and instrumentalists.
- Pastor: Fr. Doke ([email protected])
- Deacons: Tom Manion, Matt McLaughlin, Kenneth Arthur
- Business Manager / Ecclesial Assistant: Jennifer O'Day
- Secretary: Alisa Arthur
- Bookkeeper: Linda Shuster
- Parish Custodian: Travis Yoakum
- Bulletin Editor: Theresa McCarthy-Brown
- Interim Principal: Bonnie Brainard
- Music Director: David Samson
- Parish Office: 573-364-1435; School Office: 573-364-1162
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis Patrick Gallagher1862–1865
Founding pastor; arrived January 1862 to minister to Irish Catholic railroad workers; baptized six children his first week and broke ground in June 1862 for the first church built exclusively for religious services in Rolla.
- Rev. F. W. Graham1865–1868
- Rev. Thomas J. Moran1868–1875
- Rev. E. Smith1875–1879
- Rev. Thomas Bonacum1879–1880
- Rev. Patrick B. O'Loughlin1880–1918
Longest-serving pastor in parish history, serving for thirty-eight years.
- Rev. John P. Lynch1918–1921
- Rev. Sidney P. Stocking1921–1941
- Rev. Harry J. Lambert1941–1952
Led the planning and dedication of the new Carthage stone church on March 9, 1947.
- Msgr. Gerold J. Kaiser1952–1960
- Rev. Thomas D. Sullivan1960–1970
- Rev. William D. Ludwig1970–1972
- Rev. Fred Elskamp1972–1980
- Rev. John Fischer1980–1985
- Rev. Donald Antweiler1985–1994
Oversaw the 1992 church expansion while preserving the stone exterior, wood-beamed ceilings, and stained-glass window of St. Patrick.
- Rev. Donald L. Wallace1994–1998
- Rev. I. C. Medina1998–2003
- Msgr. David Cox2003–2010
- Fr. Michael P. Murphy2010–2012
- Fr. Charles Pardee2012–2016
- Fr. David J. Veit2016–2019
- Fr. Gregory Meystrik2019–2024
- Msgr. Gregory Higley2024–2025
- Fr. Doke2024–present
Current pastor of St. Patrick Parish.