The first St. Patrick’s Church is the Historic Cemetery Church on “O” Road, Laurie, MO.

The second St. Patrick’s Church was built in Gravois Mills in 1952 since the population had shifted to that area. The large brick building standing on top of the hill served the parish for 30 years, having been added onto once during that time span.

The third St. Patrick’s Church was built in 1980, in Laurie. This church was named the Shrine of St. Patrick because of its size and to distinguish it from the first historic church, which was still used upon occasion since the cemetery is located there. It features stained glass Stations of the Cross. A Prayer Path offers visitors a chance to meditate on the last 12 hours of Christ’s life at the outdoor Stations of the Cross. These Stations are more than 100 years old and are sealed in wooden frames. The Avenue of the Flags consists of flags of different countries that have been donated by parishioners in honor of their heritage or by visitors to the Shrine.

By the mid 1980s the summer crowds were again overflowing the church. Instead of adding on to this church, Father Fred J. Barnett, pastor, decided to build a little outdoor grotto to Mary, where Mass could be celebrated to handle the summer crowds. The little grotto grew into a shrine and was dedicated in 1988 as Mary, Mother of the Church. The Mothers’ Wall of Life was added in 1999 as a tribute to motherhood and family life, where names of mothers are engraved in the polished black granite, regardless of race, color or creed, living or deceased.

In 2003, it became the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church.

Thousands of visitors come to the National Shrine, located next to St. Patrick’s Church, every year to stroll the grounds amid the serene setting of fountains, a waterfall, ponds, carillon bells and music, and thousands of flowers.