About Holy Trinity · Okarche, Oklahoma
Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a historic parish in Okarche, Oklahoma — a small farming town about 40 miles northwest of Oklahoma City — founded in 1893 by German-Catholic immigrants and now part of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The current gothic-inspired church was built in 1903 and still stands as a landmark on the plains of Canadian County. Holy Trinity is best known as the home parish of Blessed Stanley Rother, the Oklahoma priest-martyr beatified by Pope Francis in 2017, and the parish operates Holy Trinity Catholic School (PreK3 through 8th grade). The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, the sacraments, a parish school, faith formation for children, and a council of ministries and committees.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (the Most Holy Trinity)
- Rector
- Rev. Zachary Boazman
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Why belong here
Holy Trinity is a thriving small-town parish with deep roots — a 130+ year-old Catholic community anchored by a gothic 1903 church, an active parish school, daily and weekend Mass, and a celebrated connection to Blessed Stanley Rother. The parish welcomes visitors with weekday Mass in English, Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass, Saturday confession, weekly Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction at the school, religious education from K through Confirmation preparation, and a full range of parish ministries and committees coordinated through the Parish Council.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Fridays (with the school) — Adoration and Benediction
Parish History
Holy Trinity Catholic Church was founded in 1893 when German-Catholic immigrants began gathering for Mass celebrated by Father Joseph Beck in their homes. A first church was built that year and dedicated by Bishop Theophile Meerschaert in 1894, and a parish school opened more than a decade before Oklahoma had any public school system. In 1902 Father Zenon Steber arrived as a missionary pastor and served the Okarche community for more than 45 years; under his care the parish, school, and many vocations flourished. The current gothic-inspired church was built in 1903 and remains the visual and spiritual anchor of the town.
- Parish founded 1893
- First church built 1893, dedicated by Bishop Meerschaert 1894
- Father Zenon Steber served as pastor from 1902 for more than 45 years
- Current church built in 1903 (gothic-inspired)
- German used in worship and education until U.S. entry into WWI in 1917
- Okarche has produced at least nine priests from the parish community
Home Parish of Blessed Stanley Rother
Holy Trinity is the home parish of Blessed Stanley Rother, born March 27, 1935 in Okarche, who attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church and School as a child, was ordained a priest in 1963, and served the Tz'utujil people on the Oklahoma mission in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. He was killed there on July 28, 1981. In June 2015 the Vatican formally recognized Father Stanley as a martyr; Pope Francis officially recognized him as a martyr on December 1, 2016; and he was beatified on September 23, 2017 in Oklahoma City before more than 20,000 people — the first U.S.-born priest to be beatified and the first U.S.-born martyr.
- Father Stanley Rother (1935–1981)
- Beatified September 23, 2017 in Oklahoma City
- First U.S.-born priest beatified; first U.S.-born martyr
- His heart remains enshrined in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala
Parish Staff & Clergy
Holy Trinity is led by its pastor, supported by two deacons, and a small lay staff handling parish operations, school operations, evangelization, and administration.
- Rev. Zachary Boazman — Pastor
- Deacon Charles Krumsiek
- Deacon Max Schwarz — (405) 708-3105
- Mrs. Emily Pickett — Director of Evangelization — (405) 653-8846
- Mrs. Nancy Schudalla — Administrative Assistant — (405) 263-7930
- Jamie Jenkins — Director of Operations — (405) 263-7902
Holy Trinity Catholic School
Holy Trinity Catholic School is a PreK3 through 8th grade Catholic elementary and middle school in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The curriculum stresses academic achievement within a Christian community, follows diocesan curriculum guidelines for secular subjects, and teaches religion daily while observing the Catholic liturgical year. The school recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children and exists to teach the message of Jesus, build community, serve those in need, and worship God through prayer and sacraments.
- PreK3 through 8th grade
- Diocesan curriculum guidelines for secular subjects
- Religion classes taught daily; Catholic liturgical year observed
- Weekly Mass, Adoration and Benediction on Fridays for students
- Regular Confessions for Catholic students old enough and prepared
- Principal: Keri Rother
- Director of Operations: Jamie Jenkins
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs Religious Education classes for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade on Wednesday evenings from September through April. The 2nd and 6th grade years are sacramental preparation years using a different curriculum: 2nd graders prepare for the Sacrament of Penance and First Holy Communion, and 6th graders prepare for Confirmation. The Director of Evangelization coordinates faith formation and welcomes new families.
- K–6th grade Religious Education on Wednesday evenings (Sept–April)
- Curriculum: Discover! Finding Faith in Life
- 2nd grade: preparation for Penance and First Holy Communion
- 6th grade: preparation for Confirmation
- Contact: Emily Pickett, Director of Evangelization — (405) 653-8846
Parish Council & Ministries
Parish Council is an elected and appointed body of parishioners that serves as an advisory board to the Pastor on worship, formation, outreach, stewardship, and community life and administration. Members serve three-year terms and elections are held in the spring, usually in late May. The parish describes itself as a thriving community with various ways to get involved and invites parishioners to share their gifts.
- Chairperson: Katie Schneiter
- Asst. Chairperson: Ryan West
- Secretary: John Pinkerton
- Members: Janelle Grellner, Karri Parson, Ana Barcenas, Jaime Rother, Tom Schaefer, Elizabeth Schroeder
- Three-year term; elections in late May
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed at the parish office at 211 West Missouri, Okarche, OK 73762. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For emergencies, callers are invited to dial the office line and follow the voice prompt for pastoral care.
- Address: 211 West Missouri, Okarche, OK 73762
- Mailing: PO Box 185, Okarche, OK 73762
- Phone: (405) 263-7930
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Beck1892–1893 (missionary who began saying Mass in Okarche)
Began celebrating Mass in the homes of German-Catholic residents in 1892; the first church was built in 1893 and dedicated by Bishop Meerschaert in 1894.
- Father Zenon Steber1902 – ~1948
Missionary pastor for more than 45 years; celebrated Mass in German and English and oversaw the growth of the parish, the school, and many vocations.