RDG in the Media: St. Patrick Catholic Church Highlighted
The AIA Interfaith Design Knowledge Community features RDG's design for St. Patrick Catholic Church.
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Elkhorn, Nebraska, is a 157-year-old parish that has evolved alongside the westward expansion of the Omaha metro area. As the city expanded, so too did the parish's needs. Partnering with RDG Planning & Design, St. Patrick Catholic Church began to envision what a new campus might look like — one that would enhance opportunities for gathering, worship and fellowship across generations. Following a series of master planning and test-fit studies, the parish adopted a two-campus model and, in June 2025, gathered to officially celebrate the dedication of a new church.
The new campus spans 12 acres and serves to honor the parish’s legacy while also creating space to accommodate Elkhorn’s growing community and deepen community engagement. At the heart of the campus is a 1,300-seat nave — more than double the capacity of the previous church — organized in a modified cruciform to emphasize the centrality of the altar. A 100-seat day chapel offers space for quiet prayer and smaller liturgies, while a 600-seat parish hall supports community events and gatherings. A cylindrical bell tower, inspired by traditional Irish round towers, rises above the campus and serves as a new architectural beacon for the Archdiocese and local community.
The $38 million project also includes administrative offices and an outdoor courtyard designed to support fellowship and spiritual reflection. Details such as granite tiles etched with Celtic knots, crosses and rings reinforce the church’s identity and its message of belonging. The parish will continue to operate its original campus, home to St. Patrick School, which serves students from preschool through eighth grade. Together, the two campuses enhance the parish’s ability to expand its ministries and embody its mission to educate, nurture and sustain faith across generations.