About St. Patrick · Tacoma, Washington
Saint Patrick Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the Old Town neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington, founded in 1891 by Bishop Aegidius Junger of the (then) Archdiocese of Nisqually to serve Tacoma's growing population. The parish traces its roots to the original frame chapel built in 1892 on Tacoma Avenue and Starr Street, and to the present stone church designed by architect Frederick Heath and dedicated by Bishop E. J. O'Dea on June 30, 1907. Today Saint Patrick is paired under the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel initiative (Parish Family 36) with Holy Cross in Tacoma and St. John Vianney on Vashon Island, and it operates Saint Patrick Catholic School as a partner in faith and academics. The parish describes itself as a community called and empowered by Christ to nurture spiritual and liturgical needs through lifelong Christian education, the celebration of the sacraments, prayer, and service to others.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. David T. Mulholland
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle (Pierce Deanery; Parish Family 36 under Partners in the Gospel, paired with Holy Cross – Tacoma and St. John Vianney – Vashon)
Why belong here
Saint Patrick offers the full sacramental life of a downtown parish rooted in more than a century of Tacoma history, with Sunday Masses at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 7:00 pm, weekday Masses Wednesday through Friday, Monday Eucharistic Adoration, and a Saturday Vigil Mass at partner parish Holy Cross. More than fifty active ministries — including OCIA (Becoming Catholic), Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, youth ministry and Confirmation, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Walking with Purpose, Grief and Stephen Ministry, choir, prayer groups, and a thriving parochial school — give parishioners of every age and stage a way to serve. Under the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel, Saint Patrick is now grouped with Holy Cross and St. John Vianney, sharing pastoral leadership while keeping its own Old Town identity, school, and ministries close at hand.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before daily Masses (Wed/Thu/Fri 9:00 am)
- Saturday Vigil: at Holy Cross Church at 5:00 p.m.
Adoration times
- Monday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish History
Saint Patrick Catholic Church traces its origin to Christmas Day 1891, when Bishop Aegidius Junger of the Archdiocese of Nisqually dissolved the small St. Mary's Parish to establish a new church serving Tacoma's booming Old Town. A modest 30-by-40-foot frame church was built in 1892 on Tacoma Avenue and Starr Street; in 1893 the Dominican Sisters arrived and founded what became the first official parochial school west of the Mississippi River. The wooden church was destroyed by fire on August 15, 1905, and the present stone church, designed by architect Frederick Heath, was completed and dedicated by Bishop E. J. O'Dea on June 30, 1907. The parish grew rapidly — Holy Cross Parish was carved out in 1915, St. Charles Borromeo in 1956 — and the 1919 school building at 11th and J Streets remains the home of Saint Patrick Catholic School.
- First Mass: Christmas Day, December 25, 1891
- First frame church: spring 1892, Tacoma Avenue & Starr Street
- Dominican Sisters arrive 1893 — first parochial school west of the Mississippi
- Fire destroys wooden church: August 15, 1905 (Feast of the Assumption)
- Cornerstone laid March 17, 1906; church dedicated June 30, 1907
- Holy Cross Parish established 1915
- New school blessed October 12, 1919
- St. Charles Borromeo Parish established 1956
Architecture of the 1907 Church
The present Saint Patrick Church was designed by noted Pacific Northwest architect Frederick Heath and built by P. A. Baillargeon in 1906 of stone. Its exterior is marked by a bell tower at one corner and a rose window centered above the main doors, with arched doors and windows throughout. Construction began in 1906 after Bishop O'Dea approved the project on the lots purchased at 12th and J Streets (the former site of the Atkins Memorial Church).
- Architect: Frederick Heath
- Builder: P. A. Baillargeon
- Cornerstone laid March 17, 1906 (feast of St. Patrick)
- First Mass in basement: Christmas Day, December 25, 1906
- Dedicated by Bishop E. J. O'Dea on June 30, 1907
- Features: stone construction, bell tower, rose window, arched doors and windows
Pastorate and Pastoral Succession
Saint Patrick has been served by a succession of pastors since 1891, beginning with Father Emonds and including (in order) Father Emonds, Rev. LeBlanc, Father Fitzgerald (interim), Rev. Joseph F. McGrath (1906, builder of the present church), Rev. W. J. Noonan (later Monsignor and Domestic Prelate, pastor from 1919), Rev. Ailbe McGrath (interim, 1932–33), Rev. Edward J. McFadden (1953), and Father Seamus Laverty, the 11th pastor (1995). In 2024, under the Archdiocese's Partners in the Gospel process, Rev. David T. Mulholland was appointed pastor of Parish Family 36 — Saint Patrick, Holy Cross, and St. John Vianney (Vashon) — and also serves as pastor of Saint Rita Parish. Father Mulholland is a Tacoma native who served his first Mass at Saint Patrick, making his appointment a homecoming.
- Current Pastor: Rev. David T. Mulholland ([email protected], ext. 4102)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. David L. Mayovsky
- Parish Priest (family): Rev. Ron Knudsen
- Deacon: Bill Eckert
- Parish Administrator: Kevin Lovejoy (ext. 4104)
- Pastor Emeritus (Holy Cross): Rev. John Renggli
Parish Staff
Pastoral and administrative staff serving the parish include Kevin Lovejoy as Parish Administrator; Kim Ward as Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation, RCIA and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd; Meg Hannan as Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation (OCIA); Laura Dougherty as Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy, Pastoral Care and Funerals; Amy Waller for Baptism Preparation; Joe and Anna Skillman for Confirmation; Allison Verhofstadt for Youth Ministry; Bob McKamey for Music; Sandra Kuharic for Evangelization/Engagement and Communications; Mary Leverson for the Bulletin and Marriage Preparation; Tiffany Bone for Stewardship, Safe Environment and Sacramental Records; Eugene Lao for IT; Gaylon Adams for Facilities; and Michelle Carpenter as Bookkeeper.
- Kevin Lovejoy — Parish Administrator (ext. 4104)
- Kim Ward — Faith Formation, RCIA & Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ext. 4108)
- Meg Hannan — Faith Formation / OCIA (ext. 4112)
- Laura Dougherty — Liturgy, Pastoral Care & Funerals (ext. 4109)
- Amy Waller — Baptism (ext. 4113)
- Bob McKamey — Music (ext. 4100)
- Allison Verhofstadt — Youth Ministry (ext. 4107)
- Joe & Anna Skillman — Confirmation (ext. 4107)
- Sandra Kuharic — Evangelization & Communications (ext. 4116)
- Mary Leverson — Bulletin & Marriage Prep (ext. 4100)
- Tiffany Bone — Stewardship, Safe Environment & Sacramental Records (ext. 4115)
- Eugene Lao — IT (272-2297 ext. 4111)
- Gaylon Adams — Facilities (ext. 4100)
- Michelle Carpenter — Bookkeeper (ext. 4103)
Saint Patrick Catholic School
Saint Patrick Catholic School, located at 1112 North G Street in Tacoma, has operated continuously since 1893, when the Dominican Sisters arrived to establish what became the first official parochial school west of the Mississippi River. The present school building at 11th and J Streets was completed and blessed on October 12, 1919, under Pastor Rev. W. J. Noonan, with Bishop O'Dea and the Mayor of Tacoma present. The school's mission is to nurture an abiding Catholic faith while pursuing academic excellence and modeling honesty, respect, and service. School Masses are celebrated on Thursday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the church, and the annual Catholic Schools Week celebration includes a Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast in the Skip Butler Gym.
- Founded 1893 by the Dominican Sisters — first parochial school west of the Mississippi
- Present building blessed October 12, 1919, under Pastor W. J. Noonan
- Address: 1112 North G Street, Tacoma, WA 98403
- Phone: (253) 272-2297
- Principal: Chris Gavin (ext. 4131)
- Vice Principal: Barbara Bolanos (ext. 4133)
- School Mass: Thursday 8:45 a.m.
- Motto/Identity: Over a Century of Academic Excellence in the Catholic Tradition
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Saint Patrick offers a full continuum of faith formation for children, youth, and adults, including the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium, Religious Education for public-, private-, and home-schooled families (Sundays 9:15–10:20 a.m. in the Parish Center), youth ministry, and Confirmation preparation. Deacon Bill Eckert traditionally blesses the Religious Education program at the start of the year. Families interested in volunteering as catechists or arranging a tour of the atrium are encouraged to contact Kim Ward at 253-383-2783.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (atrium)
- Religious Education — Sundays 9:15–10:20 a.m.
- Youth Ministry — Allison Verhofstadt ([email protected], ext. 4107)
- Confirmation Preparation — Joe & Anna Skillman ([email protected], ext. 4107)
- Contact: Kim Ward, ext. 4108
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — still commonly called RCIA — is the parish's process for adults and children who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Eucharist and Confirmation. Sessions meet Mondays or Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Parish Center through May 2026, with the goal of full initiation typically at the Easter Vigil. Presentations are open to the wider community, and parishioners are invited to journey as sponsors.
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Mondays or Tuesdays, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Parish Center
- Contact: Meg Hannan, Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation, ext. 4112
Parish Ministries & Service
More than fifty active ministries give parishioners a way to live out their faith at Saint Patrick. They include liturgical service (Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Choir, Arts and Environment, Daily Mass Set Up, Eucharistic Adoration), formation (Adult Bible Study, Children's Liturgy of the Word, Children's Rosary, Benedictine Spirituality, Walking with Purpose, Library), pastoral care (Grief Ministry, Health Ministry, Stephen Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Funeral Receptions, Senior Ministry/PrimeTimers, Visitiation of the Sick), outreach and social justice (St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus Council 809, Respect Life, Social Justice, Sister Parish, Hospitality), and community life (Welcoming Committee, Sunday Social Hour, Ushers, ReMembering Church, Cara to Cara, Young Professionals, Men's Prayer Group).
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Choir, Eucharistic Adoration
- Formation: Adult Bible Study, Children's Liturgy of the Word, Walking with Purpose, Library
- Pastoral Care: Grief Ministry, Stephen Ministry, Prayer Shawl, Health Ministry, Funeral Receptions, Senior Ministry
- Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus Council 809, Respect Life, Social Justice, Sister Parish
- Community Life: Welcoming Committee, Sunday Social Hour, Ushers, Hospitality, Young Professionals, Men's Prayer Group
Music & Liturgy
Bob McKamey directs the parish music ministry. School children join the wider assembly for Mass on Thursday mornings at 8:45 a.m., and the parish offers a Children's Rosary and Children's Liturgy of the Word in addition to the principal choir.
- Choir Director: Bob McKamey ([email protected], ext. 4100)
- School Mass: Thursdays 8:45 a.m.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Children's Rosary
Outreach & Charity
Saint Patrick's outreach ministry continues the parish's 1893 soup-kitchen legacy. Current efforts include the St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Respect Life group, a Sister Parish relationship, a Social Justice group, and Hospitality Ministry. The parish's annual Catholic Schools Week is anchored by a Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast hosted by Council 809 in the Skip Butler Gym.
- St. Vincent de Paul — Dolly Reed
- Knights of Columbus Council 809 — Matondo Wawa
- Respect Life Group — Paddy O'Halloran
- Sister Parish — Florence Bucholz
- Social Justice Group — Bill White
Sacraments
The parish celebrates Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Baptism is arranged through Amy Waller ([email protected], ext. 4113); Marriage Preparation through Mary Leverson ([email protected], ext. 4100) and Lacie Vierra; Funerals, Liturgy and Pastoral Care through Laura Dougherty ([email protected], ext. 4109); and OCIA through Meg Hannan (ext. 4112).
- Baptism — Amy Waller, ext. 4113
- Marriage Prep — Mary Leverson, ext. 4100; Lacie Vierra
- Confirmation — Joe & Anna Skillman, ext. 4107
- Anointing of the Sick / Funerals — Laura Dougherty, ext. 4109
- OCIA — Meg Hannan, ext. 4112
Partners in the Gospel & Parish Family 36
In 2024, under Archbishop Paul D. Etienne's Partners in the Gospel strategic pastoral planning initiative, Saint Patrick was placed into Parish Family 36 with Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma, 98407) and St. John Vianney (Vashon Island, 98070) under the leadership of one pastor, Rev. David T. Mulholland. The Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 pm is celebrated at Holy Cross. Saint Rita Parish also shares pastoral leadership with Father Mulholland. Together these parishes coordinate sacramental, ministerial, and administrative resources while retaining their own identities.
- Parish Family 36: Saint Patrick (Tacoma), Holy Cross (Tacoma), St. John Vianney (Vashon)
- Pastor: Rev. David T. Mulholland
- Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm at Holy Cross
- Saint Rita Parish also shares pastoral leadership
Visiting & Contact
The Parish Center and parish offices are at 1001 North J Street, Tacoma, WA 98403, with the church building itself at 1123 North J Street. Saint Patrick Catholic School is at 1112 North G Street. The parish phone is 253-383-2783 and email is [email protected]. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm (school office 8:00 am – 4:00 pm).
- Parish Office: 1001 North J Street, Tacoma, WA 98403
- Church: 1123 North J Street, Tacoma, WA 98403
- School: 1112 North G Street, Tacoma, WA 98403
- Phone: 253-383-2783
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- School Office Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Emondsearly 1890s–1899
Served during the 1893 panic; operated a free 'soup house' for those in need; departed for Germany in 1899 due to failing health.
- Rev. LeBlanc (of All Saints Parish, Puyallup)1899–c.1905
Purchased the present-day 12th & J Street lots in 1905; fell seriously ill and resigned.
- Father Fitzgeraldc.1905–1906
Appointed temporary Pastor after Father LeBlanc's resignation.
- Rev. Joseph F. McGrath1906–c.1919
Began construction of the present stone church immediately after his appointment; Frederick Heath, architect; cornerstone laid by Bishop O'Dea on March 17, 1906; church dedicated June 30, 1907.
- Rev. W. J. Noonan (later Monsignor, Domestic Prelate)April 4, 1919–1953
Previously pastor of the Cathedral in Seattle; oversaw completion of Saint Patrick Catholic School (blessed Oct. 12, 1919); appointed Domestic Prelate by Pius XI on Nov. 25, 1925; served as Administrator of the Diocese after Bishop O'Dea's death in 1932; died May 1, 1953.
- Rev. Ailbe McGrath1932–1933
Interim Administrator of Saint Patrick while Monsignor Noonan was serving the diocese following Bishop O'Dea's death.
- Rev. Edward J. McFaddenJuly 1, 1953–
Appointed after Monsignor Noonan's death; soon established the Mothers' Club of the school; in 1956, St. Charles Borromeo Parish was formed from the western portion of Saint Patrick's territory.
- Father Seamus Laverty1995–
Became the 11th Pastor of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in 1995.
- Rev. David T. Mulhollandcurrent (since 2024 under Partners in the Gospel)
Pastor of Parish Family 36 (Saint Patrick, Holy Cross, St. John Vianney); also pastor of Saint Rita Parish; grew up in Tacoma and served his first Mass at Saint Patrick.