Saint Patrick Church (Columbus, Ohio)


Saint Patrick Church is a historic building and the second-oldest Catholic church building in Columbus, Ohio. Located in the Discovery District neighborhood, the structure served as the pro-cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus until the consecration of Saint Joseph Cathedral. It has been served by priests of the Dominican Order since 1885 and is currently home to an active parish.

History

When Irish Catholic immigrants arrived in Columbus in 1848 to escape the Great Famine, the only Catholic church in the city was Holy Cross Church, a predominantly German Catholic parish. The German and Irish worshipers shared Holy Cross until 1850, when the parish voted to split. Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati approved the new parish February 1851 and appointed Reverend John Furlong as its pastor.
The new parish was named for Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick. The site chosen was on the west side of town at the corner of Grant and Naghten Streets. English-speaking worshipers continued attending Holy Cross during construction, with $1,200 toward the building fund donated by Holy Cross parishioners.

Notable clergy

Interior

Stained glass windows

Paintings

There is a fresco of a medallion depicting a Dominican saint over each stained glass window in the nave.