From the Archives

Only months after the Cherokee Outlet allowed homesteaders to pour into the site that would become Ponca City, the first Mass was celebrated in the new structure by Father Felix De Grasse, O.S.B., on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1894.
 
The name given to that church was Saint Felix (not surprisingly). Father Felix soon departed to become abbot of Sacred Abbey in Konawa. He was replaced briefly by three other priests until the coming of Renier Sevens in 1900, which offered stability until 1913.
 
Father Renier Sevens came to Oklahoma from Belgium in 1895. Ordained by Bishop Meerschaert, Father Sevens was lauded for his work as pastor as the parish grew from 200 to 500 members during his tenure. More importantly, he built Saint Mary Academy in 1901 with an enrollment of 125 that had gradually expanded to 200 by 1912, including all grades. The Sisters of Divine Providence were the teachers at Saint Mary. These remarkable women served all over Oklahoma, sending more than 800 sisters to minister to children.
 
The parish name was changed to Saint Mary, but it is unclear what year this occurred. What is known is that the second church was consecrated in 1916 to the patronage of Saint Mary. The photo reveals the interior of said church. With the oil business booming and Ponca City being the corporate headquarters of Conoco, an influx of Catholics from the east coast brought about the need to build a new and larger edifice. In 1954, this was accomplished with the current Italian Renaissance style church.  
 
Peaking at 2,000 members before the merger of Conoco-Phillips, Saint Mary Catholic Church now is closer to 700 to 800 members. Saint Mary Catholic School continues to flourish and is an important Catholic center in northern Oklahoma.