The reason for the close proximity of the two parishes was that St. Mary was originally built for service to German families of Dubuque, and St. Patrick's provided services for the Irish settlers to Dubuque.

[2] The parish buildings were built on land that Bishop Mathias Loras had purchased when it was offered for sale by the Federal government.

The cornerstone of the present brick church was laid in 1877, and the building dedicated on August 15, 1878.

St. Patrick's Church was designed by Dubuque architect John Keenan in the Gothic Revival style.

The main entrance has been altered in subsequent years, but it fits in with the older structure.

[3] A school building, no longer extant, was built immediately west of the church.

[3] St. Patrick's Parish had a parochial school for boys established after 1870, while girls attended St. Joseph Academy.