Sometime in the early 20th century Catholics in the Independence-Monmouth area attended mass aboard the St. Anthony Chapel Railroad car which stopped periodically in the rural towns. St. Patrick's was established in 1908 and the Methodist Church in downtown Independence was purchased with the help of the Catholic Church Extension Society.

The hop farms and timber mills were major industries in the first half of the century. Priests would travel to Independence from their home parishes to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and the sacraments with the people. They came from Sheridam, Corvallis, McMinnville, Salem and Shaw. The Franciscan and Holy Cross fathers also ministered to the parish. The Edzell, O'Donnell, Primus, Haener and Robinson families are among the earliest parishioners.

The oldest parish organization is the Altar Society. The Sunday collection on November 6, 1938 was 5.40. The old church was eventually sold for $ 7, 000.00 and  in 1965 a new church was built at its present site on "E" Street for $100,000.00.

In the 1950's significant numbers of Catholic seasonal agricultural workers, of Mexican origin and their families began to settle down. Many were South Texas. The sacraments were then being celebrated in Spanish, as well as English.

Blending two cultures with distinct gifts, today St. Patrick Parish has over 350 registered families. The hall has been expanded and new res rooms, kitchen and offices were built in 1994 and the parish is following the fine examples of its patron saint in the work of evangelization.