The Rev. Patrick McGrath, president of Loyola Academy, has been named pastor of Old St. Patrick’s Church in the West Loop Gate neighborhood, Cardinal Blase Cupich has announced.

       The Rev. Thomas Hurley stepped down as pastor in March to focus on his health.

       The appointment will be effective when McGrath’s term as president of Loyola Academy in Wilmette ends in July 2022. The Rev. Ken Simpson has been serving as administrator of the parish and will continue to do so until McGrath’s appointment officially begins.

       Cupich said McGrath “has distinguished himself as a leader who is strong, loving and wise.”

       The Rev. Patrick McGrath, president of Loyola Academy, blesses the new pool during the grand opening of the John D. Norcross Aquatic Center at the school in 2019. (Brian O'Mahoney/For the Pioneer Press)

       McGrath was ordained at Old St. Pat’s in 2006, according to a statement from the Midwest Jesuits. Previously he was the Midwest Jesuits provincial assistant for secondary education and taught at St. Ignatius in University Village, according to the statement. He has been the president at Loyola Academy since 2009, according to the statement.

       “Throughout the years, I would never have imagined serving as pastor one day, but when the cardinal raised the possibility, I consulted with my Jesuit provincial and prayed with the question. I am humbled to accept the appointment,” McGrath said.

       Old St. Pat’s has a membership of over 3,000 households and was founded in 1846 as the first English- speaking parish in the city, according to the statement.

       “Although this is an appointment of a Jesuit priest as pastor of Old St. Patrick’s, the church itself is not being entrusted to the society and will remain a diocesan parish,” the Midwest Jesuits said in the statement.

       zharris@chicagotribune.com

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