St. Patrick Parish (Archdiocese of Omaha)
St. Patrick Parish is in Nebraska (United States) and is part of the Archdiocese of Omaha.
It is dedicated to Saint Patrick.
| St. Patrick Parish | |
| Dedication: | Saint Patrick |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of Omaha |
| Deanery: | Elkhorn |
| Address: | 20500 W Maple Rd, Elkhorn, NE 68022 |
| Coordinates: | 41.2564, -96.2336 |
| City: | Elkhorn, NE |
| Subdivision: | Nebraska |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Douglas County |
| Website: | https://stpatselkhorn.org |
| Founded: | 1868 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | church.office@stpatselkhorn.org |
History
St. Patrick Parish in Elkhorn, Nebraska, was founded in 1868 by Irish settlers who arrived in the area following the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad through Douglas County. Initially a mission church under St. Stephen Parish in Gretna, it served a small farming community with a wooden chapel built on donated land near 204th Street. The parish became independent in 1872, with its first resident pastor, Rev. John Daly, appointed to minister to the growing Irish Catholic population. The current church at 215 North 208th Street was constructed in 1927, replacing the original structure that had been outgrown. Significant growth occurred in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as Elkhorn transitioned from a rural village to a suburban extension of Omaha, leading to the parish serving approximately 2,900 families by 2023. In response, a new church campus at 18600 West Maple Road broke ground on June 4, 2023, with completion expected in late 2025, doubling seating capacity to 1,400. This expansion reflects the parish’s adaptation to Elkhorn’s rapid population increase while maintaining its historical Irish roots.
Special features
- A new church campus under construction since June 2023, featuring an 88-foot cylindrical bell tower inspired by Irish architecture and a capacity for 1,400 worshippers.
- St. Patrick School, established in 1927, serving over 750 students from preschool through 8th grade, known for its strong Catholic education tradition.
- Historical ties to Irish immigrant heritage, celebrated annually with a St. Patrick’s Day festival featuring traditional music and dance.
- A 12-acre site donated for the new campus, including outdoor plazas and a garden for community gatherings.
- Distinctive wood interiors in the current church, to be echoed in the new design, symbolizing continuity with its 1927 structure.
Related parishes
St. Patrick Parish in Elkhorn collaborates with St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Omaha, part of Urban Family G in the Archdiocese of Omaha’s Journey of Faith initiative, sharing resources for youth ministry and sacramental preparation. It also maintains historical ties with St. Patrick Parish in Gretna, reflecting their shared origins as mission churches.