St. Patrick Church
The present church building on Bridge Avenue between Fulton Road and West 38th Street is the second church structure to serve our parish. The original church stood immediately behind, facing Whitman Avenue.
The building was designed in Gothic Revival style by Cleveland contractor and architect Alfred Green. The cornerstone was placed in 1871. Due to serious financial setbacks and the explosive growth of the parish, a half century passed before the church could be consecrated in 1931.
In the summer of 2020, the parish completed the first phase in a major window restoration project, with the reconstruction and reinstallation of three of the 1913 Franz Mayer stained glass windows on the west side of the nave, as well as one small window in the sacristy. Work was completed by the Whitney Stained Glass Studio of Cleveland. Window removal and restoration continues throughout 2022.
This historic structure is not air conditioned, and its kneelers are fixed in place, covering steam heat pipes.
The building contains one restroom, located in the southwest corner near the Bridge Avenue entrance.
Restoration Committee
The Restoration Committee was founded by parishioners and friends of St. Patrick Parish in 1976, with the purpose of restoring and preserving the church building. This committee raises money through the St. Patrick’s Day raffle, the Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Hooley, donations and memorials. Questions about the committee? Leave a message for Maureen Bihn at 216-631-6872.
Projects
- aisle flooring replaced
- bell tower repaired, wood frame replaced, and bells restored, electrified, and maintained
- block windows installed in basement
- catwalks replaced
- choir loft renovated
- doors restored and painted
- drone inspection of church exterior
- electrical system overhauled
- engineering study completed
- fire extinguishers installed
- foundation restoration
- gutters relined
- insulated basement pipes
- kneelers padded and recovered
- light fixtures restored
- lightning rod system replaced
- marble of vestibule and altars cleaned and repaired
- organ restored
- painted interior of church
- pews restored
- plaster repaired
- restroom remodeled
- sacristy corridor windows replaced
- sacristy remodeled
- sanctuary carpeted
- security door to basement installed
- security system installed
- shingle roof repaired and replaced
- south facade foundation, masonry and finials refurbished
- stained glass windows restored
- stairs replaced at front and side entrances
- stairs from sacristy to basement installed
- statuary repaired
- wainscoting and wood panel restored
- window protective coverings installed