Saint Patrick Catholic Church located at 1040 West 400 South • Salt Lake City, UT 84104 • Phone: (801) 596 - 7233 • Fax: (801) 363-3743 •
Website: http://www.parishesonline.com/scripts/hostedsites/Org.asp?ID=2060. The masses are ethnically diverse and are as follows: English Masses - Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm, Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am • Korean Mass - Sunday 12:15pm • Tongan Mass - 1:30pm on the 2nd Sunday of the month • African Mass - 1:30pm on the 4th Sunday of the month. If you decide to attend a weekday mass as I did, you will be worshiping
I entered through double doors into a chapel that had rows of comfortable kneelers and chairs. Father Gally and the parishioners were very warm, welcoming and made me feel a part of their church family. After mass, everyone was given a prayer book and together we did our Laudes also known as morning prayers.
Although the main church was locked, the parish secretary was gracious enough to let
me in for a few photos and prayers. The symbolism for the church starts on the outside of the building with the green iron fence that has the shape of crosses worked into the design. The iron fence connects to an archway that leads you straight up the stairs to the old double wooden doors that also bear the cross symbol.
Once pass the entry doors is the foyer, with periodicals, a youth activity board, Holy Water dispenser, stairs to the balcony, bathrooms, adoration for Our Lady of Guadalupe and more. Saint Patrick's Church has charm and ambiance that can be felt as well as seen both inside and out. I believe that a part of the charm is from the rich history. Bishop John C. Wester has listed St. Patrick Catholic Church as one of 12 pilgrimage sites for this Year of Faith. A few weeks back, Marie Mischel completed a wonderful article about the church and here's the link: http://www.icatholic.org/article/year-of-faith-pilgrimage-saint-patrick-parish-3856021
On with our virtual tour. I need to back-up a bit and mention that there is a date marker on the lower left corner of the front of the church. The church reminds me of a old mission in California on the Father Serra Trail. The church occupies the whole block, or most of it. From the corner, is the main church. To the left of the church is the administration building, further left is the Bishop Glass Center and then the home of Father Lourduraj Gally Gregory. Father Gally has been with Saint Patrick Church since August 2010 and is very personable and passionate about his ministry.
The first thing I noticed as I walked toward the altar was the tall ceilings and magnificent stained glass windows. There is a round stained glass window above the large crucifix that is behind the altar. I tried to capture the intricate pattern on camera, but it just came out as a glow, which is appropriate for a crucifix. To the right of the altar is the baptismal font, a beautiful statue and adoration area for Mary and one of the banners stating that it's a Pilgrimage Site. The left side of the altar has a lovely statue of Joseph, another Pilgrimage Site banner, the pulpit and a music area complete with an organ.
There are two rows of vintage-looking pews that lead to the altar. As you face the pews, you can't help but notice the balcony in the back of church and a stunning statue of Saint Patrick with an angel below. There are also carved Stations of the Cross on both sides of the church in between the gorgeous stained glass windows. The walls of the church are not perfectly smooth and straight which adds to the effects of the charm and warmth it bears.
Today has been a blessing in so many ways. I feel privileged to have met such lovely parishioners and Fr. Gally. May God bless you and continue to guide you in his light. Thank you for making this pilgrim church-hopper feel very welcome.