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October 22, 2019OKLAHOMA CITY – Archbishop Paul Coakley announced Tuesday that Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius Beltran, Tulsa Bishop David Konderla and Little Rock Bishop Anthony Taylor will join him for the groundbreaking for the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine.
The groundbreaking is Sunday, Nov. 3.
“The shrine will attract thousands of visitors each year and we’re honored to host it here in Oklahoma City,” Mayor Holt said. “I’m excited to participate in the launching of this important project that reflects our city’s diverse faith community and honors an esteemed Oklahoman.”
The groundbreaking is free and open to the public. Kids activities, music and dance performances begin at 3 p.m. The groundbreaking and blessing are at the future site of the shrine at S.E. 89 between Shields Boulevard and Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City at the former Brookside golf course. Parking off of Shields.
The $40 million shrine is the signature element of the first-ever capital campaign for the archdiocese, “One Church, Many Disciples.” The site will include a 2,000-seat church, a chapel where Blessed Stanley Rother will be entombed, an education building, an event space and several areas designated for shrines and devotion. The site will be developed over time.
“The groundbreaking for the shrine will be a significant moment in the life of the Church in Oklahoma and for the broader community,” Archbishop Coakley said. “The shrine is being built to honor Blessed Stanley Rother, an Oklahoma original and the first U.S.-born priest and martyr ever beatified. It will be a place of pilgrimage where the faithful will come from near and far to honor Blessed Stanley at his final resting place and to seek his intercession for their many needs. It will be a place of welcome, serving all people.”
Along with the Spanish colonial-style church – which will be the largest Catholic Church in Oklahoma – an additional element will be a museum and pilgrim center, which will be an additional $5 million. The center will welcome thousands of visitors each year to an experience that leads them through the life, witness and martyrdom of Blessed Stanley.
The church will host many large diocesan events and will help accommodate the growing Hispanic population whose parishes are significantly overcrowded.
The design architect for the project is Franck & Lohsen Architects in Washington D.C. They are supported by local architectural firm ADG. The general contractor is The Boldt Company in Oklahoma City with Cooper Project Advisors serving as the owner’s representative.
To learn more about the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine and the groundbreaking, go online to archokc.org/shrine.
MEDIA: Media covering the groundbreaking must register at archokc.org/mediacredentials. A platform and mult box will be available for TV and radio.
Bl. STANLEY ROTHER PHOTOS: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/shk6deeryct695x/AADjhwa4FvqmCu6yWrn7ixE4a?dl=0
SHRINE PHOTOS:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rv2o2ez93way402/AAAOUe1cxL7-Rmo90_TOMooma?dl=0
SHRINE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=wbAVznyc7bE
SHRINE B-ROLL:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tcukkmjamqu7xsr/AAAsly-xFo3g8mKnaHo1k0fRa?dl=0