Saint Patrick Parish is part of a three parish cluster including Saint Finbarr Parish in Grand Meadow and Saint Ignatius Parish in Spring Valley. The first Mass in LeRoy was celebrated in “Old Town” at the home of John Meigs by Father John McDermott 1866-1869.
The parish followed the town to its new location and held their services at the home of Patrick Ryan. In 1876, a frame church was built in southern LeRoy, with Father Bernard Bauman serving as pastor. Father Bauman was resident priest at Johnsburg 1874-1881.
Father Bauman was followed by Father Leo Gossman who was pastor at Saint Ignatius Parish, Spring Valley. Father Gossman was succeeded by Father Alois Gmeinder also residing in Spring Valley. Father Gmeinder was followed in later years by Father Patrick Mccusker and these pastors took cam of Saint Patrick Parish from Spring Valley. Father Mccusker was pastor of Saint
Ignatius Parish for only two years and in 1924 Monsignor Philip Matthews came to Spring Valley and remained until 1933 and served Saint Patrick Parish. Father Ambrose Layne succeeded Father Matthews and also served for eleven years at Spring Valley and LeRoy. Saint Patrick remained a mission parish out of Spring Valley served by: Fathers Earl Byron 1944-1947, Thomas Duane 1947-1954, and Cyril Peterson June 1954 for a couple of months.
In August 1954, Saint Patrick became a mission of Adams where Father Alfred Frisch was pastor. The parish started to grow during the 1950s, and Father Frisch decided LeRoy needed a new church. A new stone building was erected on Highway 56 in 1955. The building cost $40,000, with most of the work done by parish members. Much of the interior was furnished by a donation from former LeRoy resident philanthropist, Thomas Pangborn.
From its beginnings, the church was a “mission parish” having no priest in residence. Mass was celebrated on a regular basis by an area priest. Father Kenneth Schaum was Father Frisch’s assistant and came over to take most of the Masses at Saint Patrick Parish as well as baptizing most of the babies. The “mission priest” program ended in 1956 when Father Elmer Kellen, the first resident priest moved into a frame house next to the new church. A stone rectory was built on this spot in 1963 by Father Joseph Donahue. Father Donahue was followed by Father Michael Glynn who stayed less than a year. In June of 1966, Father Chester Gallagher came and also remained less than a year. The interior of the church and the fellowship hall were remodeled, with the work being completed in 1980.
The Altar Society of Saint Patrick Parish was organized shortly after the completion of the first church. This group of women has been responsible for many fundraising activities. Meetings and dinners were held in the Odd Fellows Hall in LeRoy in the early days. The annual Mulligan Stew was first begun in 1955 and is a continuing springtime event.
In 1988, Father Charles Collins became pastor at Saint Patrick Parish. During that time a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was placed in front of the rectory, welcoming parishioners to come and worship her Son, Jesus.
Father Thomas Duane returned to LeRoy in March of 1967 and remained until July 11, of 1974, when Father Vernon Schaefer became resident priest. He was followed by Father James Dandelet. Father Robert Kulas came in 1995. Father Matthew Vanissery was pastor from 1995 to 1997 when Father Russell Scepaniak became pastor until 2003. Father Steve Peterson was pastor from 2003 to 2012, followed by Father Marreddy Pothireddy who was pastor from 2012 until 2024. Our current pastor is Father Gregory Parrott.