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September 9, 2021In April of 1892, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad completed its mainline into the town of Chickasha, altering the future significantly.
Until then, it was a relatively small town inhabited by railroad employees. There were a number of the workers who were Catholic, precipitating the arrival once a month of Father Germanus, pastor of El Reno, to celebrate Mass.
The first resident pastor to serve Chickasha was Father Joseph Van Hulse (one of three brothers to minister in Oklahoma), Father Van Hulse celebrated Mass in the homes of parishioner and later the second floor of the Fitzpatrick building.
He was reassigned, and Father Francis Hall, newly ordained, was given the task of building a church. Sadly, his lack of experience did not help with twisting the necessary arms to fulfill this need. He was remembered, however, as the priest who was robbed by the Jennings Gang while riding on the Rock Island; truly the wild west.
For a structure to be built, a priest of great ability was brought in to complete the task. Father Isidore Ricklin, O.S.B., was the visionary behind the sprawling Saint Patrick’s Indian Mission in Anadarko. By 1898, a frame church under the patronage of the Holy Name of Jesus was dedicated. Using his influence with Saint Katherine Drexel, Saint Joseph’s Academy was constructed with funds donated by her in 1899. Under the Franciscan Sisters of Glen Riddle, Penn., it would serve the community until 1948.
Rapid growth occurred during the pastorate of Father Urban de Hasque. Arriving in 1901, he moved the church to the plot of land that is now the parish property. Doubling the size and building a rectory, Father Urban’s passion for the faith and his drive to serve energized the community. By 1907, the parish was free from all debt.
The current church was dedicated on May 2, 1926. The brick edifice was, and is, a sign of the strong faith of the people of Chickasha as well as an inspiringly beautiful church. Vocations flourished as three members of the Ross family were ordained priests. At least six women joined religious orders. The witness of such stellar priests as Monsignor John Heiring (who built Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa) and Monsignor Gavin Monaghan (superintendent of Catholic schools) did much to inspire young men and women to give their lives in service.
On the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa in 1955, the Southwest Courier newspaper offered this evaluation of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, which still holds true: “It is impossible to ignore the many graces and blessings that have come to the parish through the forefathers of faith; the pioneer Catholics who remained faithful and true under conditions most adverse; the devoted Sisters of Saint Francis who have educated succeeding generations of children; and the zealous priests, most of whom came across the seas to help build the Church in Oklahoma.”
