From the Archives

With the dedication of the new St. Thomas More University Parish and Student Center on Dec. 21, 2019, the history of this parish, at times both glorious and trying, came full circle. Under the guidance of Father Jim Goins this beautiful edifice, dedicated to the great English martyr, overcame financial concerns and other obstacles to provide a substantially larger worship space and a shining example Catholic tradition and architecture.

How this came to fruition is a story worth relating. With the opening of the University of Oklahoma in 1892, there were, of course Catholic students on campus. Monsignor Metter, who could be difficult on his best days, refused to offer any ministry on campus due to his belief that Catholic students should not attend secular universities. Bishop Meerschaert implored him to reconsider but he would not.

Students formed a Newman Club in 1920 and their first request was to ask that a separate university parish be established. This request did not become a reality until 46 years later. It was only after the death of Monsignor Metter in 1923 and the arrival of Bishop Kelley in 1924 did things begin to happen in earnest.  

The Knights of Columbus built Columbus Hall in 1921 as a dormitory for male Catholic students. Newman Hall was constructed in 1925 for female students and plans were made for the construction of a chapel next door. To finance the project, Bishop Kelley turned to the organization of which he was the founder, the Catholic Church Extension Society. The donor attached the caveat that the chapel must be named “Mater Admirabilis” (Latin meaning “mother most holy,” a title from the Litany of the Blessed Virgin). It was completed in 1926.

To serve the chapel and Newman Center, Kelley enlisted the help of the Viatorian Fathers of Chicago, and they stayed a few years. His friend from Detroit also was chaplain for eight years. Finally in 1959, diocesan priest Ernest Flusche was appointed and immediately sought a name change from the cumbersome Mater Admirabilis to St. Thomas More believing that a scholar and lawyer would be more suitable for the academic environment.

None of the pastors of Saint Joseph parish in Norman were in favor of campus ministry being separate from Saint Joseph until the 1960s. Finally, in 1966, Saint Thomas More was erected canonically as a parish. The community continued in the old chapel until 1978 until it had clearly been outgrown. The little church on Boyd is now a private residence but its origins are still clearly evident. 

The Friars of the Atonement were entrusted with its care in 1976 and plans for a new Catholic Student Center began. In 1977, Raymond Yeh, a faculty member was commissioned to design this new center and church on Stinson Street between Lincoln and Jenkins. Archbishop Salatka dedicated the new building on Sept. 23, 1979. Modern and somewhat stark, it featured an emphasis on natural light and simplicity. 

With the new church of 2019 in place, Saint Thomas More continues to be a vital entity in the life of the university and the city of Norman.