Richmond’s Second-oldest Surviving Catholic Church

In 1859, an Irish congregation erected the church at 25th Street between Broad and Grace. Named after Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick’s was built to overlook the city and the James River.

Many Irish immigrants lived in the eastern part of Richmond and worked in the surrounding tobacco factories. Prior to the consecration of St. Patrick’s, Masses were held in various places, such as members’ homes, warehouses, and vacant buildings. The Catholic community of pre-Civil War Richmond was growing and Church Hill was in need of a Catholic church.

On November 11, 1860, the church was consecrated by Bishop McGill.

In a letter celebrating our one-hundredth anniversary, the Auxilary Bishop of Richmond, Most Reverend Joseph Hodges, wrote that “the spirit of the Irish who made up the majority of the congregation brought forth a flourishing parish.”

Catholic Dioceses of Richmond

As a diocese, we are a spiritual and faith-centered people. Full, active and joyful participation at worship is a top priority in every parish. Our parishes are communities where members know each other, socialize with each other, care for one another and come together as Church for each other and for others. Our parishes are centers of Christian study, learning and formation — liturgical and devotional prayer — liturgical music and art — faith sharing and development — lively gatherings for worship and for fellowship. Our parishes are home base for outreach to those in need, for collaboration with people of other faiths and united efforts with other Christian communities.

Register with our Parish

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

What is RCIA?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), or Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum (OICA) is a process developed by the Catholic Church for prospective converts to Catholicism who are above the age of infant baptism. Candidates are gradually introduced to aspects of Catholic beliefs and practices.

The RCIA takes place within the parish community and culminates in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.

The RCIA provides a forum for shared spiritual growth, and a means to explore the Rite of Christian tradition through the scriptures, sacraments, church teaching and the faith community.

The process is for anyone who is:

1. Unbaptized,
2. Baptized in another faith tradition, or
3. Baptized in the Catholic Faith and who seeks to complete their initiation through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

For more information, please contact Fred Powell at fmpjr2009@aol.com or Ryland Paxton at Paxtpmrl8229@marybaldwin.edu.

Pastor

Fr. Gino Rossi

Fr. Rossi has been Pastor at St. Patrick, St. John, and St. Peter since 2015.

Previously, Fr. Rossi had been Parochial Vicar to St. Mary (Chesapeake), Church of the Holy Angels (Portsmouth), Church of the Resurrection (Portsmouth), and St. Paul (Portsmouth).

ginopaulrossi@hotmail.com

Parochial Vicar

Fr. Frank Wiggins

Fr. Wiggins is Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick, St. John, St. Peter, and ministry to Medical College of Virginia.

padreop@verizon.net

Parochial Vicar

Fr. Danny Cogut

Fr. Cogut is Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick, St. John, and St. Peter.

Earlier pastoral assignments were at St. Andrew (Roanoke), St. Paul (Portsmouth), Church of the Resurrection (Portsmouth), Holy Angels (Portsmouth), St. Mary (Chesapeake), and Church of the Epiphany (Chesterfield).

dcogut@richmonddiocese.org

Office

St. Patrick shares clergy and some staff with St. Peter in downtown Richmond and St. John in Highland Springs.

Community Life and Wedding Coordinator
Michelle Dawson: mjmvcu@aol.com

Children’s Faith Formation
Donna Baird: donnahbaird@yahoo.com

Adult Faith Formation and Infant Baptism Preparation
Kathy Buttner: kathybuttner@hotmail.com

Outreach and Social Ministry
Heather Coleman: heatherscoleman@yahoo.com

Music Coordinator
Bryce Miller: pianoguy35@mac.com

Liturgy Coordinator
Billie Keating: billie.keating@capitalone.com

Pastoral Associate
Paulita Matheny: pmatheny@stjohnscatholicchurch.org

Bookkeeper
David Stull: dstull@stjohnscatholicchurch.org

Buildings and Maintenance
Mike Treadwell: mikenme2@verizon.net