From the Archives

The city of Newkirk was founded the day after the Cherokee Strip opened on Sept. 16,1893, and has been renamed three times. It was first referred to as Lamareaux, then changed to Santa Fe. The Santa Fe Railroad was not pleased so it became Newkirk to distinguish it from a stop on the line a few miles away known as Kirk.

Saint Francis of Assisi Church was founded shortly after the town came into being. As was the norm at the time, the first Mass was offered in a store front until a store building was purchased in nearby Cross and moved to Newkirk by mules and a steam engine supplied by parishioners, finally settling at 8th and Magnolia. This was the temporary home until a church was built on South Main Street in 1898. Bishop Meerschaert dedicated the edifice on Aug. 24, 1898.

In the beginning, it was a mission of Blackwell but became a parish in 1906. The first resident pastor, Father Kekelson, was determined to bring Catholic education to the children of the parish. Renting a two-story house, he brought his sister to help teach the children. She continued until the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood arrived. They were followed by the Benedictine Sisters of Guthrie and finally the Carmelites of Villa Teresa.

The parish continued to grow and its vibrant sacramental life inspired, according to a 1955 publication, eight vocations to priesthood and religious life. Perhaps the most famous of those vocations was Bishop Stephen Leven. Born in 1905, he was educated abroad and was a gifted preacher and teacher. His vision brought about the unique evangelization project of street preaching. Excessive talent seldom goes unnoticed as he became the first Oklahoma priest to be consecrated a bishop being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio in 1955. The Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa was at the time part of the San Antonio province, so he was well known. He would later be appointed Bishop of San Angelo, Texas, in 1969. Remembered fondly for his intellect and kindness toward the people he served.

It soon became apparent that a new church was necessary, and one was completed in 1953 with the dedication on Feb. 3. With a capacity of 400 people, it remains the parish church today.

The 50th jubilee publication of the diocese that contained histories of parishes said it best: “It seems improbable in the light of modern methods that mules will ever be pressed into service by parishioners bent on building a parish. However, that same spirit of willing effort and ingenuity shown in the first Newkirk church remains unchanged as is shown by the hearty cooperation of all the congregation when the good of the church is concerned.”


Photo: St. Francis Catholic Church dedicated in 1898.