About St. Patrick · Urbana, Illinois
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in Urbana, Illinois, founded in 1901 to serve the Catholic community of Champaign County. Located at 708 W. Main Street at the corner of Main and Busey, the parish belongs to the Diocese of Peoria and today counts more than 1,000 families and over 60 ministry groups. Its mission, 'Growing God's family by living the love of Christ through sacraments, service, and a joyful, welcoming community,' reflects a parish that has continually renewed itself — most recently through a major 2015 expansion and rededication. Worship is offered daily, with weekend Masses Saturday evening and twice on Sunday morning, alongside a parish food pantry and robust outreach.
- Established
- 1901
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Anthony Co
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a welcoming Urbana parish whose mission is to 'grow God's family by living the love of Christ through sacraments, service, and a joyful, welcoming community.' A parishioner will find daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, two Sunday morning Masses, weekday adoration, regular reconciliation, more than 60 ministry groups (including OCIA for those becoming Catholic), a young adult ministry for ages 18–30, a weekly food pantry serving the broader Champaign-Urbana community, and a beautifully rededicated worship space that doubled seating to 600 while preserving original stained glass and sacred art. With over a century of history and over 1,000 families, it offers both the rootedness of an established parish and the energy of an active, diverse faith community.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday & Thursday: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Friday: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
- Saturday: 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Adoration times
- Friday: 11:00 am (Adoration)
Parish Overview & Mission
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Peoria, located at 708 W. Main Street in Urbana, Illinois. Its mission is to 'grow God's family by living the love of Christ through sacraments, service, and a joyful, welcoming community.' The parish describes itself simply: 'You are always welcome.' Today the parish numbers more than 1,000 families and over 60 ministry groups, making it one of the larger faith communities in Champaign County while retaining the close-knit feel of its founding.
- Founded 1901
- Diocese of Peoria
- Over 1,000 families
- Over 60 ministry groups
- More than 100 years of continuous Catholic worship in Urbana
History of St. Patrick Parish
Bishop John L. Spalding purchased land at Main Street and Busey Avenue in 1901 and appointed Fr. John H. Cannon founding pastor. In just 37 hours, a wooden 48 x 60 church went up and was dedicated July 7, 1901 to 42 founding families — most of Irish descent. The permanent brick church, designed by George P. Stauduhar of Rock Island, was dedicated May 24, 1903. A 1965 parish center, a 1980 office/meeting addition, Vatican II renovations in the 1970s, the 2001–2003 centennial and interior refurbishment, and the major 2014–2015 expansion/rededication shaped the parish we know today.
- 1901: Parish founded; wooden church built in 37 hours
- 1903: Permanent brick church dedicated (architect George P. Stauduhar)
- 1965: Parish center completed ($162,500)
- 1968: First Parish Council formed (Vatican II)
- 1970s: Vatican II liturgical renovations
- 1980: Parish center enlarged with offices and meeting rooms
- 1981: Rising Christ crucifix installed
- 2001–2003: Centennial celebration and interior refurbishment
- 2011: 'Honoring Our Past – Building Our Future' campaign launched
- 2014–2015: Church expansion constructed and rededicated December 9, 2015
- 2021: 'Keep the Fire Burning' — mortgage burned at celebration
Founding Story
On June 30, 1901, founding pastor Fr. John H. Cannon announced at St. Mary in Champaign that a new Urbana parish would be built by the following Sunday. Parishioners who walked the site saw only an empty lot — but the wood-frame church was erected within 37 hours and dedicated July 7, 1901. The first funeral was July 17, 1901 (Thomas O'Brien, a Peoria Eastern Railroad brakeman), the first baptism was Nellie Winifred Harty, and the first wedding was that of Nellie Hauersperger and James Mallady on October 9, 1901. The cornerstone for the permanent brick church was laid October 27, 1901, and the new church cost $56,000 in total.
- 42 founding families
- Most parishioners of Irish ancestry — hence the patron
- Pews and altar brought from a parish Fr. Cannon previously founded in Farmer City
The 2015 Church Expansion (Building for the Second Century)
After several years of strategic planning, Stauder Architecture of St. Louis, Missouri (specializing in religious architecture since the 1920s) was selected as designer, with Broeren Russo Builders, Inc. of Champaign as general contractor. Groundbreaking was November 16, 2014; construction began March 2, 2015; rededication was December 9, 2015. The project doubled seating capacity from 300 to 600 and cost $6.0 million ($5.8M construction + $200K campaign), with nearly 900 donors participating.
- Preserved sacredness, beauty, and architectural style of the historic church
- Doubled seating from 300 to 600
- New accessible choir area
- New family room for parents with young children
- Convenient restrooms and new elevator
- New gathering space connecting church and parish center
- New entry plaza
- New lower level with meeting space
- Original stained-glass windows, Rising Christ crucifix, and St. Patrick statue relocated and preserved
- New Stations of the Cross and statue of the Holy Family installed
The Parish Centennial (2001–2003)
Under pastor Fr. George Remm, the parish launched a two-year centennial celebration with parades, picnics, a parish family history project, a lecture series, a parish mission, and special liturgical celebrations. The original 1901 cornerstone time capsule was opened, revealing period artifacts and a list of founding parishioners; the capsule was resealed with its contents, and a new time capsule was placed behind the cornerstone on October 25, 2003.
- Interior refurbished in 2002 (muted greens, gold-leaf accents)
- Time capsule from 1901 cornerstone opened and resealed
Architecture, Art, and Sacred Furnishings
The permanent 1901 church was designed by George P. Stauduhar of Rock Island, who designed more than 200 churches in the upper Mississippi valley. The 2015 expansion was designed by Stauder Architecture of St. Louis, Missouri. The interior is enriched with works created by parishioners themselves, including the Rising Christ resurrection crucifix installed in 1981 and other sculptures by University of Illinois art professor emeritus Nicholas, plus devotional tapestries designed by parishioner Pat Mayer. The ceiling bears the number 42 in tribute to the founding families.
- Architect (1903): George P. Stauduhar, Rock Island
- Architect (2015): Stauder Architecture, St. Louis
- General contractor (2015): Broeren Russo Builders, Champaign
- Rising Christ crucifix (1981) — Nicholas, UIUC professor emeritus of art
- Devotional tapestries — Pat Mayer (parishioner)
- Original stained-glass windows preserved and relocated in 2015
Lent, Holy Week, and Christmas
Stations of the Cross are prayed every Friday during Lent at 5:30 pm. Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper is at 7:00 pm (confessions at 6 pm), with the Altar of Repose in St. Brigid until midnight. Good Friday offers Stations at 3:00 pm and the Passion, Veneration, and Holy Communion at 7:00 pm (confessions at 6 pm). The Easter Vigil is at 7:30 pm; Easter Sunday Masses are at 8:00 am, 9:30 am, and 11:00 am. Christmas: December 24 at 4:00 pm (Church), 4:00 pm (Candlelight Mass in St. Brigid Hall), and 6:00 pm (Church); December 25 at 10:00 am. January 1 (Mary, Mother of God) Mass is at 12:10 pm.
- Stations of the Cross: Fridays in Lent, 5:30 pm
- Holy Thursday: 7:00 pm (confessions 6 pm)
- Good Friday: Stations 3:00 pm; Passion/Veneration/Communion 7:00 pm (confessions 6 pm)
- Easter Vigil: 7:30 pm
- Easter Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am
- Christmas Eve: 4:00 pm (Church), 4:00 pm (St. Brigid Hall), 6:00 pm (Church)
- Christmas Day: 10:00 am
- Mary, Mother of God (Jan. 1): 12:10 pm
Parish Staff & Leadership
Parish leadership currently consists of Fr. Anthony Co as pastor; Patricia Fowler as parish secretary; and parish trustees Michelle Chitambar and Jim Davito. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm. Sacramental emergencies (such as last rites) are handled by leaving a clear message on the parish answering machine; a priest will return the call as soon as possible.
- Pastor: Fr. Anthony Co
- Secretary: Patricia Fowler
- Parish Trustee: Michelle Chitambar
- Parish Trustee: Jim Davito
- Phone: (217) 367-2665
- Office Hours: Tue–Fri, 9 am–5 pm
Becoming Catholic & Faith Formation (OCIA)
St. Patrick welcomes adults who want to become Catholic or who need the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) through OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The parish website features a clear call-out for inquirers. There is also a dedicated Young Adult Ministry for those 18–30 years old.
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–30)
- Contact parish office to begin inquiry
Outreach & Service — St. Patrick Food Pantry
The parish operates a Food Pantry on the south side of the church off Main Street, open Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00–5:00 pm. It is one of more than 60 ministry groups at the parish and serves the wider Champaign-Urbana community.
- Food Pantry: Tue & Thu, 4:00–5:00 pm
- South side of church, off Main Street
- One of 60+ parish ministry groups
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
St. Patrick celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Regular Reconciliation times are posted on the website. For sacramental emergencies such as last rites, parishioners are asked to leave a clear message on the answering machine and a priest will return the call as soon as possible.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (through OCIA for adults)
- Reconciliation — Wed/Thu 11–12, Fri 10:30–12, Sat 2:30–3:45
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites on emergency call
- Matrimony — contact parish office
Contact, Location & Visiting
St. Patrick is located at 708 W. Main Street, Urbana, IL 61801, at the corner of Main and Busey. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm. The Food Pantry entrance is on the south side of the church off Main Street. The 2015 expansion added an elevator and a family room to make the building welcoming and accessible for all, including parents with young children.
- Address: 708 W. Main Street, Urbana, IL 61801
- Phone: (217) 367-2665
- Office Hours: Tue–Fri, 9 am–5 pm
- Accessible building (elevator, family room)
- Food Pantry entrance: south side off Main Street
Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors can stay connected through the parish website, the parish YouTube channel (linked from the homepage), and Flocknote text-message notifications for reminders of the sacramental schedule and parish events.
- Website: stpaturbana.org
- YouTube channel (linked from site)
- Flocknote weekly text notifications
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John H. Cannon1901
Founding pastor; built the first wooden church in 37 hours and the permanent brick church; named the parish for St. Patrick.
- Fr. J. Walter McGinn
Initiated plans in 1947 for what would become the 1965 parish center.
- Fr. Joseph Hogan
Pastor who in 2005 initiated the parish-wide planning process that led to the 2015 church expansion.
- Fr. George Remm
Led the 2001–2003 centennial celebration and initiated plans for a possible church expansion.
- Fr. Luke Spannagel
Helped lead efforts to pay down the building debt.
- Fr. Anthony Co
Current pastor; helped the parish celebrate the end of the debt at the September 26, 2021 Keep the Fire Burning event.