Fr. Constant Mandin (1878 - 1943) was a French born priest who, after completing his schooling in France, decided to come to the United States after hearing a seminary lecture by Bishop Henri Granjon from the Diocese of Tucson.  Bishop Granjon had traveled to France to recruit priests to the Arizona Territory. Fr. Mandin was ordained in San Antonio in 1904, and arrived in Arizona soon afterward.  He served in the Clifton / Morenci  and Prescott areas before arriving in Bisbee in 1913.

Seeing the need for a larger facility to replace the existing small Catholic church, Fr. Mandin was instrumental in the design and construction of the existing St. Patrick Church building.  Work began on the church in September 1915;  the project budget was $150,000.   It is said that Fr. Mandin, wearing his overalls,  labored along side the volunteers during the construction. The church was dedicated on September 30, 1917 by Fr. Mandin's mentor, Rev. Henri Granjon, Bishop of Tucson.