From the Archives

When the fire of 1901 destroyed Sacred Heart Abbey and Saint Mary’s Academy in Konawa, the Sisters of Mercy saw the benefit of transferring their efforts to Oklahoma City to found Mount Saint Mary’s Academy on the highest spot in the city. 

Because of their presence and due to the natural boundary of the North Canadian River that separates the north section of Oklahoma City from the south, it became abundantly clear to Bishop Theophile Meerschaert that a new parish should be established on the southside to meet the needs of the 400 or so Catholic families living in the area. 

Thus, Sacred Heart would become the parish for the southside. Saint Joseph Catholic Church had been the first in the Oklahoma City area and served the northern part of the city. There was some discussion as to where the location of the church would be as some preferred a lot on Central Avenue while the bishop chose to purchase 10 tracts of land from the sisters directly across the street from the Mount.

Father J.F. McGuire was named as the pastor and was charged with building a parish literally from nothing. The first Mass was celebrated in April of 1911 in the recreation hall of Mount Saint Mary’s.

The women of the parish served meals at the State Fair and raised $1,000, an amount that allowed for a temporary structure to be assembled. It was multi-purpose as curtains were erected to separate classrooms and removed for Mass. The rectory was a rented house, and the furnishings were generously provided by Saint Joseph Church.

After years of saving and living frugally, construction began for an attractive Gothic church. After the First World War, materials had yet to become plentiful and quality workers were scarce. The basement was completed in the fall of 1920, but the project was put on hold as it was revealed that the foundation would not hold a superstructure. A loan was secured through the diocese to alleviate the problem.

Father John T. Hall celebrated the first Mass in the structure at Midnight Mass, Christmas 1921. The dedication by Bishop Meerschaert took place on Feb. 2, 1922.

Still seeking a permanent school structure, Father Hall had an unexpected windfall when he inherited a farm (from a man who admired his priestly ministry), which he promptly sold for $7,500 – more than enough to construct the school. 

The Southwest Courier stated: “Perhaps it is an understatement to term Father Hall’s unexpected and providential source of supply to build his school a ‘windfall.’ It was indeed one of those minor miracles.” A new and better facility was built in 1946. At its apex, Sacred Heart Catholic School was home to 438 students.

Sacred Heart continued to be a vital part of the Church in Oklahoma City having as pastor the legendary Monsignor Luecke, who also served as vicar general for the diocese.

As the demographics of the neighborhood changed over the years, Sacred Heart adapted to address those changes. 

Becoming primarily a Hispanic population, it has become one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese that celebrates nine Masses in Spanish on the weekends. Due to the church’s size the situation had become untenable. With the construction of the new shrine in honor of Blessed Stanley Rother, it became apparent the space could be utilized for Sacred Heart parish. 

Historic Sacred Heart’s plant will continue but Sunday Masses will take place at the shrine and the boundaries shifted to ensure it is part of Sacred Heart’s territory. 

Regardless of what the future holds, it cannot be denied that Sacred Heart has and will continue to be a critical element in the fabric of the Church in Oklahoma City.