Mission Statement

St. Patrick Parish is a Roman Catholic Faith Community guided by the Spirit of God, the scriptures and the traditions of the Church. Our mission is to “continue the works of Jesus Christ” and to make his name “known and loved”; to proclaim the Good news to all peoples, to serve all in need, especially the poor.

Know, Love, & Serve

Know the Lord through our ministries of Evangelization, Education and Formation, and our meditation and study of the Sacred Scriptures.

Love the Lord through our worship and prayer centered on Jesus Christ’s presence in the Holy Eucharist.

Serve the Lord through our stewardship of the gifts entrusted to us, continuing Christ’s work of charity and compassion.

About Our Parish

The history of St. Patrick’s began back in 1845 when the Catholics of Arcola began holding services at the home Victor Munier. The Vicar General of the Diocese of Fort Wayne, Rev. Julian Benoit, performed these early services. There are gaps in the history until 1862 when St. Patrick’s officially established. The Parish’s first small church was built in 1868. The church’s first school was built in 1880. In 1895 the Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ came to take charge of the parochial school. Fr. Robert Pratt in 1898 began the present-day church when he laid the cornerstone on the first Sunday of October. On October 29, 1899 the church was dedicated by Bishop Auxiliary, John Guendling. The total cost for the beautiful gothic church that we worship in today was $10,934. Fr. Jacob Bick laid the cornerstone for our current school building on November 5, 1950. The school closed at the end of 1969 school year. The current rectory was built in 2006. The new hall opened officially in October 2007 and was dedicated by Bishop D’Arcy on December 16, 2007.

Liturgy/Lay Ministries

“When you have done all you have been commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.” – Luke 17:10b

You are invited to share your time, talent, skills and treasure in the active ministry of our parish.

Liturgy - Ushers, Lector, Bring up the Offertory gifts, Cantor, Organist, Choir Member, play musical instrument, lead Rosary before Mass, and Altar server.

Lay Ministries – Clean Church, Help with funeral dinners, Environmental Committee (church decoration), Visit homebound, Vacation Bible School, Building maintenance & grounds.

Please contact the parish office for additional information and to sign up!

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”– Matthew 25:40

Parish Membership

Over 150 Years of Faith and Community
Welcome! St. Patrick welcomes you to become part of our growing parish family by registering as members of the parish. To register, call the parish office at (260-625-4151) or pick up a registration form at the church entrances. You may also print the form by using the link below.

Click here to download the the membership registration form.

We are glad to have you with us!
If moving, please notify the parish office.

Parish Library

Our Parish has a Parish Library for your use with many spiritual books and videos.

Server Schedule

Click here to view the Server Schedule for Sept. 30 - Dec. 3.

Ministry Schedule

Click here to view the Ministry Schedule for Aug. 5 - Oct. 8.

Priests of Saint Patrick’s Parish

  • Rev. P.J. Madden, 1862
  • Priest from Fort Wayne, 1864-1865
  • Rev. Henry Schaefer 1865-1868
  • Rev. Theodore Vanderpoel, 1869-1872
  • Rev. Henry Theodore Wilkins 1873-1880
  • Rev. Bartholomew Hartmann, 1881-1886
  • Rev. Hickman, 1887 (5 to 6 weeks)
  • Rev. James A. Werdein, 1887-1888
  • Rev. William Quinlan, 1889-1891
  • Rev. William Conrad Miller, 1892-1895
  • Rev. Robert J. Pratt, 1896-1900
  • Rev. Simon M. Yenn, 1900-1901
  • Rev. Peter Schmitt, 1901-1905
  • Rev. Henry C. Kappel, 1905-1907
  • Rev. Edward J. Mungovan, 1907-1915
  • Rev. P.A. Welsh, 1915-1934
  • Rev. William L. Atwater, 1934-1936
  • Rev. Jacob A. Bick, 1936-1957
  • Rev. Edward T. Keever, 1957-1971
  • Rev. Louis Zenz, 1971-1976
  • Rev. Robert J. Hoevel, 1976-1978
  • Rev. Charles J. Ueber, 1978-1989
  • Rev. Matthias Crehan, O.F.M., 1989-1990
  • Rev. James Koons, 1990-1992
  • Rev. Eugene Koers, 1992-2001
  • Rev. Matthew Kafka, 2001
  • Rev. Cyril Fernandes, 2001-2009
  • Rev. Alex Dodrai, 2009-2013
  • Rev. Thadeus Balinda, 2013-2023
  • Rev. John Eze, 2023-present