About Us
Learn About St. Patrick's Division No.1
Our History
Continuing the Ancient Order of Hibernians tradition in Cincinnati, which dates to the 1860s, St. Patrick’s Division No. 1 was chartered Oct. 28, 1960. The division’s first meeting, led by President John McSorley, was held at St. Xavier Church in downtown Cincinnati. Early officers included Vice President James Murphy, Recording Secretary Pat Burgoyne, Financial Secretary James Rigney and Treasurer Edward Phelan.
Growth and Relocation
Meetings were held at St. Xavier Church until 1980, when church renovations required the division to relocate. Meetings were first moved to St. Rose on the River in the Tusculum neighborhood, followed by Resurrection Church in the Price Hill community.
In 1984, the division purchased a more permanent—though still temporary—hall at 3926 River Road in Cincinnati’s Lower Price Hill/Riverside community. Continued growth led to another move in fall 2011 to St. Vincent de Paul Church at 4026 River Road, where the division continues to meet today.
Leadership and Consolidation
The inaugural Mass and dedication of the new facility were celebrated Dec. 3, 2011, with Brendan Rhodes passing the presidency to Barry Fangmann. On Jan. 24, 2020, St. Patrick’s Division No. 1 consolidated with the Our Lady of Knock Division of Cincinnati, strengthening and expanding the organization. Chris Schulte of St. Patrick’s Division and Jason Love of Our Lady of Knock were the final presidents of the individual divisions. Schulte was elected president of the consolidated St. Patrick’s Division No. 1 on Jan. 24, 2020.
Past Presidents
Past presidents of St. Patrick’s Division No. 1 prior to consolidation include William T. O’Neill, Jerry Tracey, Thomas Rogers, Mike Hall, Jack Flanigan, David Maher, Patrick Mallory, Gerry Fritsch, Mark Shannon, Paul Weisgerber, Barry Fangmann and Mike Hendley.
Past presidents of the Our Lady of Knock Division include Joseph Rickard (1987), Ed McNeill (1988), Mark Shannon (1990), Bill Weber (1992, 1994), Roger Davey (1993, 1999), Dan Young (1995), Dan Murphy (1997), Mike McKinnis (1998), Jack Looby (2000), Patrick Ryan (2001), Jim Magee (2002), Tom Boyer (2004), Bob Harper (2008) and Jason Love (2012–2016). Mike Hall and Ed McNeill also served as Ohio State AOH presidents.
Notable Accomplishments
Key accomplishments of St. Patrick’s Division No. 1 include co-hosting the 2010 AOH/LAOH National Convention, celebrating its 50th anniversary in October 2010, and organizing the annual Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Parade began in 1967 when members of St. Patrick’s Division No. 1 discussed holding a parade in honor of St. Patrick, their patron saint. “Big” Jim Murphy secured a religious procession permit for Friday, March 17. The procession began downtown around 4 p.m., quickly growing as residents left work, stores and bars to join. Traffic was halted for more than two hours.
Over time, the event evolved into a full parade featuring floats, pipers, step dancers, marching bands and Irish families. At its height, it was the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world. After the first parade caused significant disruption, most parades were moved to Sundays, except in 2001 when the 35th parade was held on a Saturday.
A Parade Without Cancellation
In 2012, the 46th Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Parade returned to Saturday, stepping off promptly at noon. The honorary grand marshal was Tom Griffin, a member of the 1942 Doolittle Raid on Japan. Another notable honorary grand marshal was Joseph Doherty in 1989, represented in the parade by his mother, Maureen Doherty.
The Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Parade has never been canceled. It has begun under sunny skies and ended amid snow-covered streets. Rain, snow or shine, the Irish of Cincinnati and St. Patrick’s Division No. 1 proudly gather each year to honor one of Ireland’s greatest saints.
