In 1853, a group of Irish immigrants established St. Patrick Parish in what was then Ohio City. Now, 170 years later, the church is still at the heart and soul of what now is a neighborhood in Cleveland.
Many of the faithful from St. Patrick Parish on Bridge Avenue gathered to mark the church’s 170th anniversary on Oct. 29. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated Mass with concelebrants Father Michael Gurnick, the parish’s pastor since 2019, and Father Mark Hollis, a retired seminary professor who lives in the parish rectory.
(See above for a photo gallery from the celebration.)
In his homily, Bishop Woost reflected on the dream of the founding parishioners to continue their devotion to their Catholic faith, their cultural heritage and charitable works.
“They remembered the Lord’s admonition in the Book of Exodus, ‘for you were once aliens,’ and they embodied God’s compassionate love creating a legacy of community outreach,” said Bishop Woost.
He cited the church’s early and active role with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the Diocese of Cleveland and how that has expanded over the years into various forms of social outreach to the neighborhood.
After Mass, parishioners gathered in the lower hall for a reception.
“What makes this parish special is the down-home feel,” said longtime parishioner Joe Wadowick. He and his wife Kathy, who serves as the church’s pastoral associate, were married in St. Patrick’s Church 46 years ago.
“The people are genuine and there is a true sense of community,” Wadowick added.
Photos courtesy of Joe Wadowick.