Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. Patrick's Church

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 4, 2021

1. St. Patrick's Church Marker

Inscription. Catholicism in Northfield Township dates from the early nineteenth century. In 1829 Father Patrick O’Kelly, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, was sent to the area to minister to the Irish Catholics who were settling in southwestern Michigan. The first parish church, a log structure, was completed on this site in 1831. Originally named St. Brigid, this is the oldest English-speaking Catholic parish in the state. The present Gothic Revival-style church was completed and dedicated in 1878. The parish was renamed St. Patrick’s at that time. The rectory was completed in 1890. In 1917 the church and rectory were badly damaged by a cyclone; however, both were rebuilt in subsequent years. Serving the area for 150 years, the parish continues to reach out to the needs of the surrounding community.

Erected 1992 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number S494.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 42° 21.47′ N, 83° 45.066′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is at the

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intersection of West Northfield Church Road and Whitmore Lake Road, on the right when traveling east on West Northfield Church Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5671 Whitmore Lake Road, Ann Arbor MI 48105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Patrick's Civil War Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Delhi Bridge (approx. 3.4 miles away); a different marker also named Delhi Bridge (approx. 3.4 miles away); Webster United Church of Christ (approx. 3.7 miles away); Webster Township Hall (approx. 3.8 miles away); In memory of all Veterans (approx. 4½ miles away); The Clairvoyant Physician (approx.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 4, 2021

2. St. Patrick's Church Marker

4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.

Also see . . . History of Old St. Patrick. Excerpt:

The original log church has not survived. In 1837 it was torn down and replaced by a building in the present cemetery. By 1850, the church had grown to 90 families from the original 15 and was known as St. Bridget. In 1875, money was raised to build the present church and parishioners did most of the construction themselves.

(Submitted on October 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

St. Patrick's Church Graveyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 4, 2021

3. St. Patrick's Church Graveyard

Located across the street on the east side of Whitmore Lake Road

St. Patrick's Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 4, 2021

4. St. Patrick's Church

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 4, 2021

5. St. Patrick's Church Marker

175 year commemoration plaque

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 4, 2021

6. St. Patrick's Church

Shrine to two pastors

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 689 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.