Msgr. Michael Schwarte stayed at St. Patrick’s until 1972 when Fr. Gerald Stessman took his place. Fr. Stessman stayed at St. Patrick’s until 1980. In 1973, St. Patrick’s Church sold its school to those who would eventually build the Pizza King. After the sale of the school, St. Patrick’s consolidated its school children with three of the five parish schools on the east side of Council Bluffs. The consolidation included the schools at St. Peter’s, St. Patrick’s, and St. Francis.

A major renovation of the interior of the church also took place in the 1970’s under Fr. Stessman. The renovations included the installation of a wood carving of the risen Christ. The wood carving of the risen Christ replaced the original altar and communion rail, both of which were removed and are not known to exist anymore.

Fr. Keith Engel (1970-1971), Fr. John Cunningham (1970-1971), Fr. Don Bruck (1971-1972), Fr. Ray Fitzpatrick (1972-1973), Fr. James Kleffman (1973-1975), Fr. Bob Weis (1975-1977), Fr. Don Daleke (1978-1979) all were associate pastors during the 1970’s.