From the Archives

The Very Reverend Laurence Smyth was an Irish immigrant whose perseverance, holiness and sense of humor made him one the pillars of the early Church in Oklahoma.
 
Father Smyth studied for the priesthood in Ireland and served for two years in England after his ordination in 1854. Itching to serve as a missionary, he departed for Arkansas in 1856. Becoming a pastor in Fort Smith, he was assigned as part of his duties, the Indian Territory. His activities spanned the years of 1862-1877, with a primary concern being the soldiers at Fort Arbuckle.
 
However, he sought Catholics wherever they were and as the Katy Railroad pushed further so did his drive to administer the sacraments. Records indicate he celebrated baptisms at Cherokee Town (just east of Pauls Valley).
 
His desire to serve the Irish railroad workers was legendary. While visiting a railroad construction camp just south of the Red River, a section gang was present that had not made their Easter obligation. He persuaded them (with more than a little blarney) that he would appreciate their input as to the job they had done on the Indian Territory side. He had no faculties in Texas so when they crossed the bridge he sat in the middle and persuaded each man to confess his sins before he would let them cross. While unorthodox, he was effective.
 
With the ordination of his brother Michael in 1868 (who would build the first church building in the Territory at Atoka) and his appointment as missionary to Indian Territory, Father Laurence’s sojourns became less frequent. He continued to serve as pastor in Fort Smith and went on the build the glorious Immaculate Conception Church in 1898.
 
Upon his death in 1900, a parishioner offered this tribute: “His non-Catholic friends knew and loved him as a brave soldier of the cross. His heart was too great to admit anything but a generous love of his fellows. … His love for the suffering was not limited by creed or nationality and all felt his generous sympathy.”