Saint Patrick Parish has a legacy rich in history and diversity; founded in 1892 by Bishop Lawrence Scanlan, to meet the needs of Catholics living on the Westside of Salt Lake City. Bishop Scanlan purchased land on present day 500 west and 417 south in 1889 and three years later he acquired a lot with a brick cottage and a framed building which was converted to the church and opened October 16, 1892. The parish’s first pastor was Fr. Denis Kiley. In 1907 the land was sold to San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad. Property for the new church was acquired on 400 south in 1914, and a cornerstone was laid, but construction never took place due to the death of Fr. William K. Ryan, then pastor, and Bishop Scanlan in 1915.  

  Bishop Joseph S. Glass selected the current site on 400 south and 1040 west for the new Saint Patrick Church, the building of which was put into the hands of Fr. Michael F. (later Msgr.) Sheehan, pastor from 1916 through 1926. The church, with its mission-style architecture, was completed in November 1916, but was not dedicated due to the onset of World War I.  

  The parish’s first members offered a glimpse of the ethnic richness for which the parish would be known. Its first census list included people with the last names of, Polanshek and Cosco. There were Hennigans, Brennans, and McLaughlins, Anselmos, Cugliettas, Chiodos, and Fuocos.  

  During Msgr. Sheehan’s term as pastor, Saint Patrick Parish also served Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel on Rio Grande Avenue. In 1930, however, Bishop John H. Mitty declared Our Lady of Guadalupe a separate community, which eventually grew into Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.  

  Fr. (later Msgr.) Patrick F. Kennedy succeeded Msgr. Sheehan in 1927, establishing a lively CYO. Fr James O’Grady was named pastor in 1928, and in 1929, Fr. Joseph I. Gosselin served as parish administrator. In 1930, Msgr. Alfred F. Giovannoni was named Pastor of the Parish. He would serve the people of Saint Patrick until 1943.  

  A fire, of unknown origin, gutted the interior of Saint Patrick Church on Christmas Eve, in 1924, leaving only the walls and part of the roof intact. Men of the parish began rebuilding immediately. In eleven months, a newly refurbished Saint Patrick Church was blessed by Bishop James E. Kearney. 

  The parish has been enriched by the work of many religious women throughout its history. The first to serve the parish were Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters who arrived in 1939.  

  The World War II Chaplaincy Service called Msgr. Giovannoni who went to work with Italian prisoners of war. Bishop Duane G. Hunt appointed Fr. (later Msgr.) Edward Dowling administrator from 1944 to 1948. He served as pastor of Saint Patrick Parish from 1948 to 1951. In 1948, a former Army Air Base chapel became the parish recreation hall and youth center. Men of the parish transported and refurbished the building.  

  By 1950, the population of the parish had risen to 1,000 parishioners. Fr. Patrick Cullen was named administrator of the parish in 1952. Later the same year, Fr. Francis Sloan was named pastor. Fr Sloan oversaw major repairs to Saint Patrick Church, including the reinforcing of a sagging wall in 1955. Among the assistants working with Fr. Sloan, were Fr.’s John Paul Revere, Thomas J Meersman, Lawrence M. Spellen, Gerard G. Trageser, James Fogarty, and William H. Flegge.  

  Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Cross opened Bishop Glass Intermediate Learning Center, for grades one through four in 1954, under Bishop Duane G. Hunt. One grade was added each of the following years until the1958-59 school year. In 1969, grades one and two were closed due to decreased enrollment. In 1972, grades seven and eight were eliminated, and the school closed in 1980.  

  A number of deacons have served Saint Patrick Parish, including Deacon Silvio Mayo, who in 1984 became the first non-priest appointed as Chancellor in the United States. Other deacons who have served here include Deacons James Aguilar, Stanley L. Stott, Robert Ryan, John Herald Rosco, James D. Garcia, Richard Francey, Daniel Herron and Otto Johansson. Presently serving at the parish is Deacon Sefo Manu.  

  Fr. (later Msgr.) Rudolph A. Daz was named assistant pastor of Saint Patrick Parish from 1964 to 1966, and Fr. Louis A. Fischer followed him from 1965-1967.  

  In 1965, fire again struck Saint Patrick Church. The church was again repaired. 

  Fr. (later Msgr.) John J. Sullivan was assigned pastor of the parish in 1966 by Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal. He served the parish until 1970, when Fr. (later Msgr.) Lawrence P. Sweeney was named pastor. 

  Over the years, the makeup of the parish was enriched by Italians, Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, African Americans, Irish, and Native Americans. The face of the parish broadened to include Koreans, Tongans, and various people from the continent of Africa. Fr (later Msgr.) Joseph Terrence Fitzgerald, pastor from 1975 to 1982, hosted the visit of Most Reverend Patelisio P. Finau, leader of all Catholic Tongans in 1981. In 1981 and 1982 Fr. (later Msgr.) Colin F. Bircumshaw was assigned as parochial vicar. The churches sanctuary was renovated in 1976 to conform to the standards of Vatican Council II. Saint Patrick choir members, under the direction of the Holy Cross Sister Barbara Fehr, sang for the Diocesan Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 and for the ordination of Bishop William K. Weigand in 1980.  

  The first Vietnamese family arrived in the parish in 1975. The Vietnamese Catholic Community found a home at Saint Patrick in 1981 under the direction of Fr. Dominic Thuy Dang Ha.  

  In 1982 Fr. Lawrence M. Spellen returned to Saint Patrick to serve as pastor until 1987 when Fr. Donald Hope was named pastor. By that time, activities included Eucharistic celebrations, religious education classes, language classes for Vietnamese children, youth group activities, and meetings in preparation of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Holy Family Sister Andrea Rangel served as Pastoral Assistant to Fr. Hope. Under Fr. Hope’s supervision, the parish prepared for its centennial celebration. The church’s stained glass windows were restored, and parishioners pledged thousands of dollars for the refurbishing of the church building inside and out. The centennial celebration was held October 11, 1992; it opened with a Mass followed by a reception. The Korean Catholic Community found a home at Saint Patrick, under the supervision of Fr. Hope. 

  Fr. Gerald P. Lynch was named pastor of Saint Patrick Parish by Bishop George H. Niederauer in 1996. Also serving as Diocesan Vocation Director, Fr. Lynch brought to the parish a new appreciation for the work of the ordained priests and deacons and the vowed religious. Saint Patrick Parish maintains its tradition of ethnic diversity. Masses included  rich liturgical music in Spanish, Tongan, English, Korean and different African languages. In 2001, Fr. Lynch and the community of Saint Patrick Parish welcomed Sr. Georgita Cunningham, RSM to its staff as Pastoral Associate; a position later held by Br. J. Anthony Ornelas, SSS. Fr. Lynch also purchased a new organ, and supported the development of the Council of Catholic Women and Youth Ministry program. 

  Fr. David J. Bittmenn served as pastor from 2002 to 2007. He was a very hands on pastor recognizing the need for preservation of our church property; making many repairs to the parish himself. He also focused on Adult Formation, ministry for seniors which included a monthly Healing Mass and Senior luncheon.  

  In the short year Fr. Stanislaw Herba was administrator from 2007 to 2008 he renovated the Rectory which has been standing as long as our present day church. 

  Fr. Samuel Dinsdale was installed as pastor in 2008. In the two years he was here he redecorated the Church with a new Altar, Ambo, Presider’s chair, tabernacle, and returned the stained glass window above the Sanctuary crucifix. He also reinstated our current Knights of Columbus council 12264. 

  Fr. Lourduraj Gally Gregory was named pastor by the Most Reverend John C. Wester in August 2010. Fr. Gally’s first effort to meet the parishioners of Saint Patrick Parish was by offering to come bless their homes. Like many other pastors,  Fr. Gally has embraced the diversity of the people he serves; who celebrates many rich cultures past and present. 

Fr. Anastasius Iwuoha was assigned as Parish Administrator in August 2016. Fr Anastasius has brought lively and passionate preaching to our community and is proud of forming our children’s choir. Fr Anastasius celebrated his Silver Jubilee with our parish in August 2019.