About St. Patrick · Salt Lake City, Utah
Saint Patrick Catholic Church is a historic, multiethnic Roman Catholic parish on the west side of Salt Lake City, Utah, founded in 1892 by Bishop Lawrence Scanlan to serve the Westside Catholic community. It is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Salt Lake City and is known for its remarkable ethnic and cultural diversity, with worship offered in English plus Tongan, Myanmar (Burmese), and African communities holding their own monthly Masses. The mission-style church building, completed in 1916 and dedicated in 1919, sits at 400 South and 1040 West in the Poplar Grove neighborhood, and continues its long tradition as a welcoming hub for immigrant and working-class Catholics in Utah's capital.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Anastasius Iwuoha (Parish Administrator since August 2016)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Salt Lake City
Why belong here
Saint Patrick is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse parishes in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, where weekend worship is offered in English alongside monthly Tongan, Myanmar, and African Masses, and where newcomers are welcomed into a long tradition of community service in the Poplar Grove neighborhood. The parish offers religious education for children and adults, youth ministry for grades 6-12, Knights of Columbus Council 12264 outreach, and ministries reaching out to the homeless in the surrounding area, making it a place where Catholic faith is lived out alongside working-class Salt Lakers from many backgrounds.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- Wednesday after the 9:00 AM daily Mass (Eucharistic Adoration)
About Saint Patrick Parish
Saint Patrick Catholic Church is a historic, multiethnic Roman Catholic parish on the west side of Salt Lake City, founded in 1892 by Bishop Lawrence Scanlan for the Westside Catholic community. It belongs to the Diocese of Salt Lake City and is famous for its cultural diversity, with regular weekend Masses in English plus monthly ethnic Masses celebrating Tongan, Myanmar (Burmese), and African Catholic traditions. The parish sits in the Poplar Grove neighborhood and continues a long tradition of welcoming immigrant and working-class Catholics.
- Diocese of Salt Lake City
- Founded 1892 by Bishop Lawrence Scanlan
- Multiethnic: English, Tongan, Myanmar, African communities
History
Bishop Lawrence Scanlan purchased land at 500 West and 417 South in 1889 and three years later acquired a brick cottage and framed building that was converted into the first church, opening October 16, 1892, with Fr. Denis Kiley as the first pastor. After a brief move tied to a 1907 railroad land sale, Bishop Joseph S. Glass selected the current site at 400 South and 1040 West, and Fr. Michael F. (later Msgr.) Sheehan oversaw construction of the mission-style church, completed in November 1916 (dedicated June 1, 1919). The church was gutted by a fire on Christmas Eve 1924 but rebuilt in eleven months; a second major fire occurred in 1965. The parish has been led by a succession of pastors and administrators including Fr. William K. Ryan, Fr. (later Msgr.) Joseph Terrence Fitzgerald (1975–1982), Fr. Lawrence M. Spellen (1982–1987), Fr. Donald Hope, Fr. Gerald P. Lynch (1996), Fr. Samuel Dinsdale (2008), Fr. Lourduraj Gally Gregory (2010), and Fr. Anastasius Iwuoha (2016–present). The parish celebrated its centennial in 1992 and the centennial of its present building in 2019.
- 1892: Parish founded by Bishop Lawrence Scanlan; first pastor Fr. Denis Kiley
- 1916: Mission-style church completed under Fr. Michael F. Sheehan
- 1919: Church formally dedicated (June 1)
- 1924: Christmas Eve fire gutted interior; rebuilt in 11 months
- 1965: Second major fire; church again rebuilt
- 1976: Sanctuary renovated to Vatican II standards
- 1981: Vietnamese and Korean Catholic communities make Saint Patrick their home
- 1992: Parish centennial; stained glass windows restored
- 2016: Fr. Anastasius Iwuoha assigned as Parish Administrator
- 2019: Centennial of present church building; time capsule unearthed
Architecture & Building
The current church is built in mission style, completed in November 1916 on the present site at 400 South and 1040 West. After the 1924 fire it was rebuilt and re-blessed by Bishop James E. Kearney; the sanctuary was reconfigured to Vatican II standards in 1976. Under Fr. Samuel Dinsdale in 2008 the interior was redecorated with a new Altar, Ambo, Presider's chair, tabernacle, and the stained glass window above the Sanctuary crucifix. Stained glass windows were restored for the 1992 centennial.
- Mission-style architecture (1916)
- Dedicated June 1, 1919
- Rebuilt after 1924 Christmas Eve fire
- Sanctuary renovated 1976 (Vatican II)
- Interior redecorated 2008 (Dinsdale)
- Stained glass restored for 1992 centennial
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Saint Patrick's faith formation program is led by Anthony Martinez, Director of Religious Education, and is designed to serve children preparing for the sacraments as well as adults entering the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. First Communion for children is typically received in second grade, following a minimum two-year preparation through the religious education program. Adults who are already baptized Catholic and wish to receive First Eucharist and Reconciliation, as well as unbaptized adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, are served through adult faith formation classes (typically a year-long process), coordinated by Matthew Lehman.
- Director of Religious Education: Anthony Martinez (801-949-6013)
- Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation: Matt Lehman (605-670-0785)
- First Communion for Children — typically 2nd grade, 2-year prep
- First Communion for Adults — adult faith formation, year-long process
- RCIA preparation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation
Youth Ministry
Saint Patrick's Youth Ministry program is open to parish youth in grades 6–12 and focuses on three main areas: Service, Prayer, and Community. The group generally meets twice a month. It is led by Director of Youth Ministry Sia Suliafu.
- Open to grades 6–12
- Focus on Service, Prayer, Community
- Generally meets twice a month
- Contact: Sia Suliafu, 801-635-8606
Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Anastasius Iwuoha as Parish Administrator. He is supported by a small staff of lay ministers and deacons serving the parish's religious education, youth ministry, adult faith formation, safe environment, and office/bookkeeping needs. Deacons Sefo Manu and Otto Johansson serve at the parish, and both are members of Knights of Columbus Council #12264.
- Fr. Anastasius Iwuoha — Parish Administrator
- Anthony Martinez — Director of Religious Education
- Sia Suliafu — Director of Youth Ministry
- Matthew Lehman — Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation
- Cynthia Acosta — Director of Safe Environment
- Susie Lindsley — Secretary / Bookkeeper
- Deacon Sefo Manu
- Deacon Otto Johansson
Sacraments
Saint Patrick prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Children's First Communion is normally received in second grade after a minimum two-year preparation in the religious education program. Adults preparing for sacraments — whether unbaptized seeking Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, or already-baptized Catholics seeking First Eucharist and Reconciliation — go through adult faith formation, generally a year-long process. Inquiries can be directed to Anthony Martinez (children) or Matt Lehman (adults).
- Baptism
- First Eucharist (children & adults)
- Reconciliation
- Confirmation
- RCIA for adults
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Long-standing parish organizations include the Knights of Columbus Council #12264 (reinstated by Fr. Samuel Dinsdale in 2008), the Council of Catholic Women (revived under Fr. Gerald P. Lynch in the late 1990s), and a children's choir formed under Fr. Anastasius Iwuoha. The parish also partners with the Daughters of Charity and the Knights of Columbus in outreach to the homeless population in the surrounding Poplar Grove neighborhood, and collects food donations from J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic High School at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Knights of Columbus Council #12264
- Council of Catholic Women
- Children's Choir
- Homeless outreach with Daughters of Charity
- Thanksgiving & Christmas food drives with J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic High School
A Multiethnic Parish Community
From its earliest census lists — Polansheks, Coscos, Hennigans, Brennans, and McLaughlins — Saint Patrick has been defined by immigration. The parish broadened through Italians, Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, African Americans, and Native Americans, and by the late 20th century embraced Koreans, Tongans, Vietnamese, and Catholics from across the African continent. That diversity lives on today in the monthly ethnic Masses (Tongan, Myanmar, African) and in a worship schedule that includes rich liturgical music in multiple languages.
- Irish, Italian, Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican roots
- Korean Catholic Community since late 1980s
- Vietnamese Catholic Community since 1981
- Tongan, Myanmar, African Catholic communities today
- Monthly ethnic Masses in three communities
Visiting & Contact
Saint Patrick Catholic Church is located on the west side of Salt Lake City in the Poplar Grove neighborhood, at 400 South and 1040 West. The parish office can be reached at 801-596-7233 or by email at [email protected]. Weekend Mass is celebrated in the Social Hall and daily Mass is offered in the chapel; Eucharistic Adoration is held Wednesday mornings after the 9:00 AM Mass.
- Address: 400 South & 1040 West, Salt Lake City
- Phone: 801-596-7233
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stpatrickslc.org
- Weekend Mass in Social Hall; daily Mass in chapel
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Denis Kiley1892 (first pastor)
First pastor; led the newly opened parish on the Westside of Salt Lake City.
- Fr. William K. Ryand. 1915
His death in 1915, together with Bishop Scanlan's, halted construction of a new church on 400 South.
- Fr. Michael F. (later Msgr.) Sheehan1916-1926
Built the present mission-style church on 400 South and 1040 West; completed November 1916, dedicated 1919.
- Fr. (later Msgr.) Joseph Terrence Fitzgerald1975-1982
Hosted the 1981 visit of Tongan Catholic leader Archbishop Patelisio P. Finau; sanctuary renovated to Vatican II standards in 1976.
- Fr. (later Msgr.) Colin F. Bircumshaw1981-1982
Served as parochial vicar.
- Fr. Lawrence M. Spellen1982-1987
Returned to serve as pastor.
- Fr. Donald Hope1987-
Welcomed the Korean Catholic Community; oversaw 1992 parish centennial and restoration of stained glass windows.
- Fr. Gerald P. Lynch1996-
Named pastor by Bishop George H. Niederauer; also Diocesan Vocation Director; hired Sr. Georgita Cunningham, RSM as Pastoral Associate; purchased a new organ and supported the Council of Catholic Women and Youth Ministry.
- Fr. Samuel Dinsdale2008 (installed)
Redecorated the church with new Altar, Ambo, Presider's chair, tabernacle and restored the stained glass above the crucifix; reinstated Knights of Columbus Council 12264.
- Fr. Stanislaw Herba2007-2008
Administrator; renovated the Rectory.
- Fr. Lourduraj Gally GregoryAugust 2010-
Named pastor by Bishop John C. Wester; introduced himself by offering to bless parishioners' homes.
- Fr. Anastasius IwuohaAugust 2016-present
Parish Administrator; known for lively preaching, forming the children's choir, and celebrating his Silver Jubilee with the parish in August 2019; also chaplain of St. Joseph Villa.