About the Parish

Like the town of Atikokan, St. Patrick's Parish had very humble beginnings. In 1927, only four Catholic families were in Atikokan. On Easter Sunday, March 30, 1929, Fr. Mandor of the Oblate Fathers, distributed the first communion to a small group of children. On October 17 of the same year, Bishop Beliveau (of St. Boniface, Manitoba) administered Confirmation. Until 1943, the church was a Mission, occasionally served by the Oblate Fathers. In 1930, the Ukrainian and Roman Catholics began construction of the church, under Fr. Gauthier. Bishop Beliveau, in 1931, blessed the Church under the name of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This Church is at the corner of MacKenzie Avenue and Mark Streets and is still in service by the Ukrainian Catholic Community. In 1943 Fr. Belanger, OMI became the first resident priest and the Catholic Community was officially declared an independent Parish. In 1948, the Sacred Heart Chapel was built at Sapawe. It was during this time that the Catholic Women's League was formed. Fr. Belanger left Atikokan in 1949 and from then until 1953 Fr. E. Maurice, Fr. G. Pinette and Fr. S. Gauvin, all Oblate Fathers, served the parish. On July 12, 1953, the newly erected Diocese of Fort William (now Thunder Bay) took over the Parish. The first diocesan priest was Fr. Lawrence Wittig.

As the town grew, so did the number of Catholics and the need for a new and larger church and school became apparent. The parish purchased land on the Dunbar Heights subdivision and construction of the new church began in 1953. With a lot of volunteer help from the Parish members and construction companies working in the area the Church was completed in 1954. On September 15 the Bishop of Fort William, Most Reverend Edward Q. Jennings blessed the Church under the name of St. Patrick. During this year we built the School and formed the school board. The fraternal organization of the Knights of Columbus was established at this time.

In 1958 the Scalibrini Fathers were called to serve in the Parish and the first Pastor was Fr. Julio Gragnani. During his stay until 1967, we completed the Church hall and the construction of the Eva Lake Chapel. The Oblate Sisters from St. Boniface came to work in the Parish largely through his efforts.

Fr. Mario Spada followed and served the Parish for many years as it matured. He was followed by Fr. P. Groulx, Fr. Cano, Fr. Murtagh, Fr. Donnelly, Fr. Feely, Fr. Wes, Fr. Matthew, Fr. Ronquillo, Fr. Merchant, SJ, and Fr. R. Antimano.

The closing of the mines in 1980 caused the size of the Parish to decrease. But gradually under a variety of pastors and parish leaders, St. Patrick's Parish has become healthy and active. We have a well staffed school, a very active C.W.L., a growing K of C, a committed church choir and about 250 excellent parishioners who today are led by Deacon John Mclnnis and Rev. Fr. Tito Ferrer, the current Parish Administrator.

The parish is fortunate to have celebrated the Jubilee Year 2000 and enjoyed celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the Church in 2003. With God's grace and guidance the parish community is being led into the new millennium.

Welcome to the Parish of St. Patrick!