From the Archives

With the consolidation of Holy Angels Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church to the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, a fascinating chapter of diocesan history came to a close.

Founded in 1926, on the outskirts of Oklahoma City at Third and Blackwelder, the property was purchased for $9,000 on what had been a ranch – with the house and barn still remaining. The church was the brainchild of newly consecrated bishop, Francis Clement Kelley. Bishop Kelley believed that all priests holding diocesnan positions should also pastor parishes. Consequently, Father James Garvey, who had just been appointed to head Catholic Charities was named the first pastor.

The barn was remodeled to house the chapel in order celebrate Mass and was later converted into the parish hall. Since the people of that area were elderly and lacking transportation to attend Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, the nearest church at the time, an evangelization project was undertaken to bring these lapsed Catholics back to the faith.   

Holy Angels School opened in 1927 and served as the church until the present church building was constructed in 1950. The Sisters of Mercy staffed the school and since there was no convent, shuttled back and forth each day from Mount Saint Mary’s. Eventually, the old rectory was transformed into a convent and two classrooms. It averaged approximately 75 students at its apex, before closing in the 1960s.

Monsignor James Garvey was succeeded by his nephew, Father John Garvey, who became the associate director of Catholic Charities in 1934. Due to ill health, Father Garvey resigned and was succeeded by Father, later monsignor, Isenbart. He was assisted by two newly-arrived Polish priests: Fathers Hodys and Waleczek. After building the new church it became apparent that Father Isenbart would not be able to lead Catholic Charities and the parish, as the death of James Garvey had elevated him to the position of director. Father Nic Schmitt became the new pastor in September of 1950.

The 1960s were not kind to the area as urban blight became acute. Father John Walch, renowned diocesan artist, opened the Saint John Damascene School of Liturgical Art at the parish and served as the pastor until his retirement in 1989.

Archbishop Charles Salatka saw the need for a more extensive outreach to the growing Hispanic population. Father Don Wolf was assigned to breathe life into this declining inner-city community and better serve the Spanish speakers of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Argentina, and Columbia. 

The Missionary Carmelite Sisters came from Mexico to establish a convent and the parish continued to grow. Under the leadership and hard work of Fathers Roberto Quant, Mike Chapman and Rusty Hewes, Holy Angels evolved from a 250-family parish in 2004 to a 1,400 family parish in 2023.

Unfortunately, the church had been subject to theft and vandalism. So much so that the pastor moved from the rectory after he experienced two break-ins. 

In truth, the space had become too small as well as unsafe. With the opening of the shrine, it became necessary to merge the parish with Sacred Heart. The last Mass was celebrated on Feb. 12, 2023, with many tears shed, but also hope for the future due to the steadfastness and determination that typified Holy Angels throughout its unique history.