The community of St. Patrick Parish in Leetonia has history stretching back to 1856. As the coal mining and iron industries began growing in the area, English and Irish immigrants moved to the town for employment. The Catholics of the town primarily worshipped out of their own homes, but they attended their first Mass in the area in 1861.
Originally named St. Barbara after the patroness of miners, the community laid the cornerstone of its first permanent structure in 1868. It quickly outgrew the church, however, so a new church was built and dedicated in 1887, under the patronage of St. Patrick.
The community opened its first school in the original church building in 1892, with Humility of Mary Sisters as teachers, but it closed in 1900. A new school and convent were later built, opening in 1923, and the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown served as faculty. New buildings and wings were added over the following decades, but the school closed in 1970, due to declining enrollment. Several community organizations went on to utilize the space, including several preschools, the local public school and a prenatal clinic.
Over the years, the community has developed several unique ministries and partnerships— including the sponsorship of a sister parish in Kenya. The parish became involved in the local ecumenical organization in the early 2000s, participating in joint Lenten and Advent services, a food pantry, Lenten community meals and the establishment of a Vacation Bible School. The parish continues to have an active St. Vincent de Paul Society and it is home to the Knights of Columbus Council 1569. The community also has a popular Lenten pierogi sale, which has helped fund various parish projects over the years. St. Patrick began collaborating with St. Paul Parish in Salem in 2006—sharing a pastor and other ministries.
The parish’s dedication to Saint Patrick is a nod to the historical community’s Irish roots, as well as the missionary spirit of those original settlers who established Catholicism in the area.
Description from The March of the Eucharist, 2nd edition (2025) published by The Catholic Echo
