Saint Irenaeus

St. Irenaeus was established in 1907.  Before the parish was founded, Catholics living in Oakmont had to travel to St. Joseph, Verona to attend Mass.  In 1906, a group of these Catholics petitioned the bishop for permission to form a parish.  In 1907, the bishop granted permission and assigned a priest to the new parish.  The parish purchased an existing church from the Episcopal St. Thomas parish and renovated it.  The church was dedicated in March of 1907. 

The congregation continued to grow.  Recognizing that a new, larger church would eventually be needed, the pastor purchased additional land in December of 1921.  However, due to other financial commitments, work did not begin on a new church for three decades.  Not until May 25, 1952, was ground broken for the church.  The cornerstone was laid on December 17, 1952, and the completed church was dedicated on November 7, 1953.

The church was renovated in 1981 and 1982.  The renovation included the installation of new stained glass windows.