San Jose Then & Now
Our Lady of La Vang Parish
Opened on May 13, 2023
Originally called St. Patrick, The parish was founded in 1872, with Father Joseph Gallagher serving as the first pastor.
It was named for Patrick, Archbishop of Armagh and patron saint of Ireland.
The original parish church was a Gothic building at the intersection of Ninth and Santa Clara streets, and it was completed in 1888. This church was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and was rebuilt in 1907.
The bell of St. Patrick’s Church was recast in 1906 from the original 1872 bell.
The second church was replaced by the current church at the intersection of Eighth and Santa Clara streets in 1967. From 1981-1990, St. Patrick’s served as the cathedral of the Diocese of San José.
A fire destroyed the church building on August 31, 2012(see photo). In 2017 the building was demolished, and the new church opened on May 13, 2023 at 389 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA
Explore San Jose•David C. Hill Photographer
