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December 16, 2021Throughout the colorful history of the Church in Oklahoma, there have been esteemed clerics whose life and work were powerful witnesses to a life of service. Others have labored quietly in the vineyard serving with little adulation but humbly seeking to be Christ to others. Still another category is those who acquired some noteworthy accomplishments but who could best be described as “difficult.” Monsignor John (Jean) Metter most assuredly would fit snugly into this category.
Born in Alsace-Lorraine, which was a disputed area that changed national identity between France and Germany three times between 1870 and 1945, he came to Oklahoma to be ordained for the Vicariate of Oklahoma in 1894, the third priest ordained for the territory.
Full of zeal and energy as well as a blazing temper, he began his career as an assistant in Guthrie and was then assigned to build a larger church in Norman. Dedicated to Saint Joseph and Saint Patrick in 1898, it has been reported that parishioners preferred Saint Joseph and a large donor’s choice was Saint Patrick. Saint Joseph became the patron of choice and has been known as such since the second church’s dedication.
Father Metter was named a domestic prelate (monsignor) in 1900 at the ripe old age of 29. Normally, this comes on the recommendation of the bishop, but Metter had friends in Rome who arranged his appointment. Bishop Meerschaert was not pleased and was amazed when he learned of the papal honor. It is still unclear as to how Metter managed to perpetrate this feat. He would remain pastor of Norman for the duration of his priestly life. He started an elementary school in 1898 and a high school in 1909 staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of Guthrie.
While achieving success on many levels, his skills with humanity were at times lacking. There were confrontations between Metter and his bishop as well as the Benedictine Sisters. He became embroiled in a dispute (largely of his doing) with the sisters, which led to their departure in 1914. He also had no interest in ministering to the students and faculty of the University of Oklahoma. Because of his refusal, Bishop Meerschaert was livid. From the bishop: “It is clear that the pastor’s reason for refusing to look after the students is as much the desire to injure the bishop as to avoid responsibility.”
He did not remove him as pastor because of his ecclesiastical rank and, in kindness, did not want him to be humiliated by being sent to a smaller parish after 25 years in Norman.
Oddly, as difficult as he could be sometimes, most in his parish were loyal to him and even the bishop begrudgingly acknowledged his competence as a pastor.
Monsignor Metter also will be remembered as a significant part of Oklahoma history due to his involvement in the Sacramental Wine Case. The Bone-Dry Law that was passed in 1917 prohibited any alcohol in Oklahoma. Monsignor Metter arrived at the Santa Fe station to retrieve a case of sacramental wine. He was denied delivery. The court case went all the way to the Oklahoma Supreme Court and smacked of anti-Catholicism. Thankfully, the Church won, and alcohol was allowed for religious purposes.
After a life of priestly ministry and maintaining a general tendency toward an ill-tempered nature, Monsignor John Metter passed away at the age of 53 in 1923. His challenging personality but surprising effectiveness made him one of the most complex figures in the early Oklahoma Church.
