Saint Patrick Church

Founding Pastor: Rev. R. Roy Cosby
Parish Founded: 1983
Church Dedication: December 14, 1985
Additional Dates of Importance: School founded: 1990. New middle school building opened: September, 2020. New church building dedicated: June 13, 2021.

School Information:

Saint Patrick Catholic School
Founded: 1990
Founding Pastor:  Rev. Msgr. Roy Cosby

The school was originally opened in 1990 as a parochial co-educational school and preschool under the direction of principal George Elliott. It has since grown to be a kindergarten through 8th grade Catholic school. The new middle school building, located beneath the new church, houses classrooms for 6th, 7th & 8th grade and includes a new computer lab, dedicated art and music classrooms, and a teachers' lounge. The school's robust program offers its nearly 200 students opportunities to participate in drama, chorus, technology, athletics, Spanish and a cheer team. The current principal is Sally Nicholson.

What Makes This Parish Unique?

Saint Patrick Church is a place where traditional worship and sound biblical instruction thrive. There is great joy and enthusiasm among the people of the parish in being able to pray and worship in the recently dedicated new church. Its beauty is attracting them to respond more fervently in the Faith, and some non-Catholics are being prompted to join them as well. The parish recently completed a new summer faith series that has been very well received, and the school continues to attract families from Spotsylvania and the surrounding counties. Parishioners are grateful for the conversion of their former church into a parish hall so that they may continue the growth and expansion of their many programs and ministries.

Parish History:

In 1983, on the Feast of Saint Patrick, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh announced the establishment of the new parish in this great missionary's honor. Initially the parish met for Sunday Mass in a local day care facility, but shortly thereafter, Mr. and Mrs. John Pruitt approached the pastor of the first Catholic church in Fredericksburg, Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, about donating a piece of land for a new parish to be situated just to the west of Fredericksburg. Within a few years, the church was built very near the location of the historic Battle of Chancellorsville, fought on May 1, 1863. A number of Civil War relics were discovered during the construction of the original and the new church buildings as well as the parish school. The new church, dedicated on June 13, 2021, houses the relics of many great saints, including Pope Saint John Paul II, Saint Faustina Kowalska, Saint Paul of the Cross, Saint Gemma Galgani, Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko, Saint Maria Goretti, Saint John of the Cross and Saint Teresa of Avila. It features some exceptionally stunning stained glass windows, bronze exterior statuary, an ornate wood altar railing, interior handcrafted wooden statues of saints and archangels, and an upgraded and expanded organ. Parishioners are grateful for the conversion of their former church into a new parish hall with a bookstore, kitchen and office space. With more than 5,000 registered members representing nearly 1,700 families, Saint Patrick Church is a thriving Catholic parish. It has a large and active chapter of the Knights of Columbus, a flourishing community of Secular Carmelites, multiple youth and adult choirs, and a rich offering of adult religious education classes. The former church building has been transformed into a parish hall to host the many parish activities and events. The current pastor is Fr. John Ziegler, and the parochial vicar is Fr. William Schierer. There are also five deacons who serve the parish: Deacons David Conroy, Paul D'Antonio, Don Perusi, Bill Pivarnik (Ret.) and Jim Stenstrom (Business Manager).

For more information about Saint Patrick Catholic Church, visit saintpatrickparish.org.