Designed by Joseph Connolly, the same architect who designed both St. Peter's Cathedral in London, and the magnificent Church of Our Lady in Guelph. “It stands as the most precise expression of Connelly’s view of gothic architecture.” (Amy Marshall – Architectural Historian)
St. Patrick's Church in Kinkora is an extraordinary building in an extraordinary community. 105 families at a cost of $30,000.00 constructed the church in 1882. It is a work of faith and love by the original Irish community of immigrants. Subsequently, it has become a house of worship for many of the Dutch immigrants who arrived in the early fifties.
One of the architectural masterpieces of Perth County, it stands in apparent isolation on a country crossroad. Yet, the emigrants from the Emerald Isle, being loyal to and mindful of their birthplace, gave the parish the name of Kinkora "a place of beauty".
St. Patrick’s Today
St. Patrick’s Parish is a young dedicated Catholic community. 91.1% of our parishioners attend mass on a weekly basis with 59.9% of our population under the age of 45 (Vitality Study). Farm families make up the largest part of our population. With most families working large livestock operations they are dedicated to the land and their parish.
Restoration Update
St. Patrick’s Parish
March 2003
Among the hallmarks of the parish community is the cluster’s yearly Vacation Bible Experience that is shared with St. Brigid’s. The wonderful structure that the parish gathers in is a mere reflection of the life and faith of the community. This 14 million dollar structure is both a blessing and a burden. Yet it is a burden that this generation has the will and ability to restore for future generations.