St. Patrick Church stands on Oak Hill Avenue on the south side of Youngstown, Ohio, in one of the highest-crime neighborhoods in the city. Founded in 1911 and still occupying its original site, the gothic building is what the parish calls "a beacon of hope on the south side of the city." As a multicultural parish family rooted in faith in Christ and the Eucharist, St. Patrick's welcomes anyone seeking a place to worship, serve, or simply belong.
The parish address is 1420 Oak Hill Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44507. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM, with the doors opening well beforehand for greeters and choir members.
A Parish Born in 1911, Still Standing on Oak Hill
The story of St. Patrick's begins in 1911, when a growing number of parishioners were attending St. Columba's Church downtown and Bishop John Farley of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland added a second church on Youngstown's south side. St. Patrick's Church was officially established on May 24, 1911. One month later, the parish celebrated its first Mass in St. Columba's Church Hall.
A rectory was established at the corner of Cleveland Street and Oak Hill Avenue, a six-room frame house that rented for $18 a month and also served as the site for daily Mass. That house is still standing, though the current rectory was constructed in 1912. Property adjacent to it was purchased in June 1911 for a California Missions-style church. Construction took only five months, and on November 12, 1911, Fr. Edward Mears, pastor of St. Columba's, dedicated the new St. Patrick's.
Construction of the permanent church began in the 1920s. The work progressed under Fr. Edward Mooney, who would later become a Cardinal of the Church and whose name lives on in the south side Catholic high school, Cardinal Mooney. The gothic church was dedicated in 1926 by Fr. William Kane, who later established a youth camp in Lake Milton, Ohio for children of the south side.
After a fire destroyed St. Columba's Cathedral in 1954, St. Patrick's was designated the pro-cathedral, and all official diocesan celebrations, including ordinations and religious professions, were held here. The parish has been led by nine pastors in its history. The ninth pastor, Msgr. Robert Siffrin, has served the parish since May 1985.
Sunday Mass and Daily Prayer
Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM. Monday brings Mass and the Miraculous Medal Novena at 8:30 AM.
St. Patrick's participates in a daily Mass rotation with neighboring parishes in the Youngstown Collaborative. The rotation moves through St. Patrick, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Angela Merici, St. Edward, and St. Columba. On Mondays, St. Patrick hosts the 8:30 AM Mass and Novena. Tuesdays move to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wednesdays to St. Angela Merici, Thursdays to St. Edward, Fridays to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and Saturdays to St. Edward. St. Columba hosts a 12:10 PM Mass Monday through Friday.
The Traditional Choir sings regularly at the 11:00 AM Mass from September through June, rehearsing at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings in the choir room adjacent to the social hall. Liturgical musicians Kris Harper and James E. Johnston lead the music ministry.
Sacraments at St. Patrick's
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments.
Baptism is celebrated one Sunday per month. Parents attend a Baptism preparation class beforehand, and at least one godparent must be an active, practicing Catholic who has been confirmed. Parents who are not parishioners are invited to join the parish.
First Communion is generally celebrated by children in the second grade, though older children are welcome. To be eligible, children should be regularly attending faith formation sessions or religion class at a Catholic school, along with additional special preparation classes and events.
Confirmation is celebrated every year for youth in eighth grade or older who attend faith formation classes and monthly preparation sessions with a sponsor or parent. A Confirmation Retreat is required. Adults seeking Confirmation have separate options through the parish office.
Marriage preparation begins by contacting the parish priest at least six months prior to the wedding date. Saturday weddings may be scheduled at 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM. Weddings are not held on Holydays or during Lent, considered a "closed time" at St. Patrick's. The Catholic party must be a practicing Catholic who promises to raise children as Catholics; non-Catholic parties are not required to join the Church. A donation of $250 is requested, plus separate music fees and a monetary gift to the celebrant. Weddings may be celebrated within Mass or without Mass; for interfaith ceremonies, the latter is often suggested. Ministers and rabbis are welcome to participate.
Anointing of the Sick is celebrated communally at Mass at least once a year, and individuals facing surgery or serious illness may call the rectory to arrange a private anointing.
Forming Disciples: From Children to Adults
Elementary Faith Formation (CCD) is a collaborative effort for St. Patrick, St. Angela Merici, St. Edward, St. Columba, and Sts. Peter and Paul. Classes are held on Sundays from 10:10 to 11:30 AM at St. Edward. Sister Regina coordinates the program and can be reached at 330-744-5233 or rrogers@youngstowndiocese.org.
Adult faith formation follows the principle that "adults have the greatest responsibilities and the capacity to live the Christian message in its fully developed form." The parish supports ongoing study through links to USCCB Daily Readings, Give Us This Day, Word Among Us, and a Prayer Service at Home resource.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is now a regional effort. About eight parishes in the Youngstown City Region formed the Youngstown City Regional RCIA in 2021. Sessions are held weekly, beginning Tuesday evenings in late September, with meetings at St. Edward Church on Tod Lane. The process is open to those never baptized, those baptized in another denomination seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet celebrated First Communion or Confirmation.
Liturgical Ministries and the Traditional Choir
St. Patrick's is supported by dozens of parishioners who serve in liturgical roles.
Lectors read the Scripture from the pulpit at weekend Masses, along with announcements and intercessions. Readers must be at least high-school age and have celebrated Confirmation.
Eucharistic Ministers distribute the host or cup at Mass and must be at least high school seniors who have been confirmed.
Greeters welcome parishioners and visitors at the church doors before Mass, arriving at least 30 minutes beforehand. Ushers help people find seats, assist those with special needs, gather the offerings, and present them to the priest at the offertory. Both men and women serve as ushers.
Altar Servers assist the priest before, during, and after Mass. The ministry is open to anyone from grade three through adult.
The Traditional Choir sings at the 11:00 AM Mass from September through June and rehearses at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings in the choir room adjacent to the social hall.
The Parish Prayer and Prayer Network
The Parish Prayer asks God for wisdom, courage, and generosity to "welcome others without prejudice; embrace works of charity and justice; lift the burdens of the needy; and show reverence for one another and for all of creation." The prayer concludes, "Make our parish a beacon of hope and a sign of peace in our valley as we continue to praise you with our voices and the witness of our lives."
The Prayer Network Ministry consists of 30 prayer partners who remember intentions phoned in to the rectory in their daily prayers. Requests can also be emailed to StPatricks@neo.rr.com. The ministry welcomes new members.
The Homebound Ministry brings Communion and parish news to parishioners in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Training is provided for new volunteers.
Community Garden and Outreach on the South Side
The parish maintains two acres of community garden plots for individual and family gardening, with gardening classes offered. Deacon Jesse McClain serves as the Community Garden Coordinator. The garden is also home to the Path of Prayers, an outdoor Stations of the Cross where Deacon Jesse leads a monthly prayer gathering from May through October.
Volunteers also staff a grass cutting crew that adopts lots in the neighborhood, with the church providing mowers and gas, and a grounds beautification team that plants and maintains flowers and shrubs on parish properties.
The parish connects members with Catholic Charities Regional Agency for direct social service needs.
Parish Life and the Altar Guild
St. Patrick's is known for "working hard and praying hard," and for celebrating together. The Altar Guild raises funds for altar supplies and linens through a Fall Card Party and Salad Buffet and Easter baking. The parish also hosts spaghetti dinners in the social hall, an annual Luck of the Irish Raffle, and a Reverse Raffle.
Staff and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Very Rev. Msgr. Robert Siffrin, with Parochial Vicar Rev. John Rovnak. Pastor Emeritus is Rev. Edward P. Noga. Five permanent deacons, Bill Bancroft, Anthony Falasca, Syl Frazzini, Mark Izzo, and Jesse McClain, assist in ministry. Liturgical musicians Kris Harper and James E. Johnston lead the music program.
Visiting St. Patrick's
The church is located at 1420 Oak Hill Avenue on Youngstown's south side, with phone 330-743-1109 and email StPatricks@neo.rr.com. Sunday Mass begins at 11:00 AM, and Monday Mass with the Miraculous Medal Novena begins at 8:30 AM. Visitors can register as parishioners by calling the rectory. Online giving is available for those who prefer to handle donations digitally.