Located in the centre of town on the main intersection at Ford and Ryley Streets, St Patricks Church began was conceptualised around 1862 when Father George Galen was appointed parish priest.
The actual planning is though to have begun in 1865 and the foundation stone was blessed in 1866 by the Roman Catholic Bishop. This historic Wangaratta building was designed by William Wardell, the same architect for St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne and St Mary's Basilica,Sydney.
The initial construction material was white Beechworth granite and then a brown Glenrowan stone was also used. The majority of the nave, the sanctuary, the sacristies and the eastern aisle had been completed at a cost of ₤6000 when Father Galen died in 1869. The church was enlarged in 1962