St. Patrick’s Parish

HISTORY :

1857-1859 Fr. John George Alleman, the missionary priest, said the First Mass in Colona and was responsible for many parishes in our area. 

1866 St. Patrick’s is a mission of St. Malachy, Geneseo, and part of the Diocese of Chicago. The Peoria Diocese was not yet established until 1877

1873 Land Purchased in old Colona. Purchased of a public-school house, remodeled as a church.

1942 St. Patrick becomes a parish. Fr. Norman Speicher is pastor. Soon the Dominican Sisters come from East Moline to teach on Sunday.

1950- This era was the start of the chicken dinners to raise funds for a new church. Purchase of farm land from the Reese family, this will become our present church property.

1953 Fr. Charles DeWitte is appointed pastor and served for 30 years.

1954 Cornerstone laid July 11th; Church dedicated by Bishop Cousins December 19th; and the original church became the Colona American Legion

1966-1967 New Rectory was built. The old farmhouse rectory is moved to the farm of Bill Stohl.

1970’s Additions to the Parish Hall with changes in the interior.

1983 Fr. Charles DeWitte retires at the age of 73 and is succeeded by Fr. Bush

2001 Fr. Bush is succeeded by Fr. Duane Jack

2013 Fr. Duane Jack retires and is succeeded by Fr. Steven Bird

2015 Fr. Steven Bird is succeeded by Fr. Peter Zorjan