ST. PATRICK, RUMA-Founded 1818
The Catholic community at Ruma had a very humble beginning in the home of Henry T. O'Hara in 1818 when Father Desmoulin, pastor at Kaskaskia, celebrated the first Mass at what was then called the O'Hara Settlement. Today's St. Patrick's parish roster still contains the names of the founding families, including those nine or ten families of Irish, Anglo-Irish, and Scots who attended that first Mass.
Priest from Prairie du Rocher and Kaskaskia came to O'Hara Settlement regularly. Upon his death, Henry O'Hara willed 100 acres of land to be used for church purposes and in 1827, the first St. Patrick Church, a log structure was built. At that time the parish was part of the St. Louis Diocese and Bishop Rosati commissioned Father Donatien Olivier, pastor at Prairie du Rocher, to bless the new church at the O'Hara Settlement. The records indicate that in May 1831 the first class of 48 children and adults, including some from the English Settlement-now St. Augustine's in Hecker, were confirmed by Bishop Rosati.
St. Patrick's holds the singular honor of being the oldest English speaking parish in the State of Illinois.
The parish makes a monthly financial and sometimes physical commitment to someone in need, food banks, international charities, local families with an emergency need, educational projects and continued support for the parish relief fund.
Also unique to the Catholic Community at Ruma is the presence of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, formerly known as the Sister Adorers of the Most Precious Blood whose Ruma Center is just across the front lawn from the parish complex. The Sisters established their mother-house in 1876 in an abandoned academy built by St. Patrick's and later sold to the Alton Diocese and then to the Sisters. This community of religious women has been an integral part of St. Patrick Parish since their arrival. Ruma pastors have served as the convent chaplain for many of those years.
The Ruma parish has been blessed with many vocations to the religious life over its long history.
If you were asked the founding settlers what their mission statement might be it would be the same as today. St. Patrick's Parish mission is to share the Eucharist and Gospel of Jesus Christ, to develop and encourage a community of faith, compassion, reconciliation and prayer. All are welcome.
Priest from Prairie du Rocher and Kaskaskia came to O'Hara Settlement regularly. Upon his death, Henry O'Hara willed 100 acres of land to be used for church purposes and in 1827, the first St. Patrick Church, a log structure was built. At that time the parish was part of the St. Louis Diocese and Bishop Rosati commissioned Father Donatien Olivier, pastor at Prairie du Rocher, to bless the new church at the O'Hara Settlement. The records indicate that in May 1831 the first class of 48 children and adults, including some from the English Settlement-now St. Augustine's in Hecker, were confirmed by Bishop Rosati.
St. Patrick's holds the singular honor of being the oldest English speaking parish in the State of Illinois.
The parish makes a monthly financial and sometimes physical commitment to someone in need, food banks, international charities, local families with an emergency need, educational projects and continued support for the parish relief fund.
Also unique to the Catholic Community at Ruma is the presence of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, formerly known as the Sister Adorers of the Most Precious Blood whose Ruma Center is just across the front lawn from the parish complex. The Sisters established their mother-house in 1876 in an abandoned academy built by St. Patrick's and later sold to the Alton Diocese and then to the Sisters. This community of religious women has been an integral part of St. Patrick Parish since their arrival. Ruma pastors have served as the convent chaplain for many of those years.
The Ruma parish has been blessed with many vocations to the religious life over its long history.
If you were asked the founding settlers what their mission statement might be it would be the same as today. St. Patrick's Parish mission is to share the Eucharist and Gospel of Jesus Christ, to develop and encourage a community of faith, compassion, reconciliation and prayer. All are welcome.