About Immaculate Conception · Fort Smith, Arkansas
Immaculate Conception Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas, rooted in the Irish Catholic immigration of the 1840s and serving the community for over 180 years. Located at 22 North 13th Street, the parish ministers to more than 1,800 households through a bilingual (English and Spanish) liturgical life, an attached parish school (PreK–5), a robust youth ministry, and outreach to the homeless and incarcerated of Sebastian County. It belongs to the Diocese of Little Rock (West River Valley Deanery) and is led today by Fr. John K. Antony, JCL, with two associate priests and four deacons. The current church — a striking red-brick Gothic Revival landmark designed by Adolphus Druiding of Chicago and dedicated on June 1, 1899 — anchors the north end of Garrison Avenue and remains the visible heart of Catholic life in Fort Smith.
- Established
- 1847
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Fr. John K. Antony, JCL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Little Rock (West River Valley Deanery)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is one of the oldest and most diverse Catholic communities in the Fort Smith region, drawing more than 1,800 households from across Sebastian County. Its downtown campus combines a landmark 1899 Gothic Revival church, a 2013 National Blue Ribbon parish school (PreK–5), a vibrant youth ministry (4:12@IC for grades 6–8 plus a Sunday-evening youth Mass), bilingual English/Spanish liturgy, and concrete outreach like the St. Anne's Society assistance program and weekly visits to the Sebastian County Juvenile Detention Center. Anyone wishing to receive sacraments — Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage — is invited to register so the parish staff can walk with them in faith.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (through screen only)
- Tuesday 5:00 PM (through screen only)
- Thursday 5:00 PM (through screen only)
- By appointment
Our History
Immaculate Conception traces its origins to 1840, when Irish Catholic immigrant Michael Manning arrived in Fort Smith to work on the fort and hosted the first known Mass in his home. A small log church of St. Patrick was built at what is now North 3rd and D Streets in 1847–1848 at a total cost of $258.50, with a Catholic burial ground just to its north. The parish grew with successive waves of Irish famine immigrants, and during the long pastorate of Fr. Lawrence Smyth (1861–1908) acquired nearly a square mile of land on the old Fort Belknap reservation, enough for a school, convent, church, cemetery, and hospital. The Sisters of Mercy arrived in 1853, founding schools, hospitals (later St. Edward Mercy), and ministering to Civil War wounded of both sides. A white frame church built at the head of Garrison Avenue in 1867 served the parish until a cyclone destroyed it in 1898. The current red-brick Gothic Revival church, designed by Chicago architect Adolphus Druiding, was built in under 18 months by parish contractors and dedicated on June 1, 1899. Sometime between the Civil War and the turn of the century the parish was renamed 'Immaculate Conception.' A 1965 refurbishment addressed serious structural deterioration, and the 2013 Restoring to Glory Capital Campaign renewed the Youth Center, St. Anne's Building, and major elements of the church and school.
- 1840 — first Mass in Fort Smith, in Michael Manning's home
- 1847–1848 — log church of St. Patrick built (cost $258.50)
- 1853 — Sisters of Mercy arrive
- 1861–1908 — Fr. Lawrence Smyth pastorate; ~one square mile acquired on old Fort Belknap
- 1867 — frame church built at head of Garrison Avenue
- 1898 — cyclone destroys the frame church
- June 1, 1899 — present Gothic Revival church dedicated
- 1965 — extensive structural refurbishment
- 2013 — Restoring to Glory Capital Campaign
Our Mission
The parish mission statement, published on the parish website, reads: 'To proclaim the gospel message of Jesus through Word, Sacraments and Works: to form our community in the traditions and teachings of our Catholic faith, to care for one another and the community at large and to bring others to know Jesus by our witness and example.' Today Immaculate Conception is an active faith community of more than 1,800 households, served by a pastor, two associate pastors, four deacons, and a strong corps of lay leaders and volunteers across spiritual, educational, social, and service ministries.
Mass & Liturgy
Immaculate Conception offers a fully bilingual liturgical schedule, with daily Masses in English and several evening Spanish Masses each week. The Sunday schedule is one of the most extensive in the region: Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM; Sunday English Masses at 7:30 and 10:00 AM (the latter livestreamed); Spanish Masses at 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM; and a 5:00 PM Youth Mass. Monday's 7:00 AM Mass is also livestreamed. Holy Days are observed with a Vigil Mass and four additional Masses throughout the day, including one in Spanish.
- Sunday English Masses: 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM (livestreamed), 5:00 PM (Youth Mass)
- Sunday Spanish Masses: 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM
- Daily English Mass: Monday–Saturday at 7:00 AM
- Weekly Spanish Masses: Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 PM
- Holy Day Vigil: 6:00 PM (English); Holy Day Masses 7:00, 8:45 AM, 12:05 PM (English), 6:00 PM (Spanish)
Parish School (Immaculate Conception School)
Immaculate Conception School is a parish school serving children from 18 months through fifth grade, located in downtown Fort Smith at 223 South 14th Street. Founded in 1930 as a ministry of the parish, the school added a preschool program in 2007 and now serves roughly 290 students in two classes per grade level, with an average class size of about 15. The school is accredited by the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (ANSAA) and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). In 2013 the U.S. Department of Education named Immaculate Conception School a National Blue Ribbon School — the first elementary school in Fort Smith (public or private) and the first Catholic school in Arkansas to receive that honor. The school integrates Spanish language instruction, fine arts, physical education, and a Learning Lab staffed by a certified special-education teacher, alongside a strong core curriculum of religion, language arts, math, science, and social studies. In 1986, the parish joined with Christ the King and St. Boniface parishes to form Trinity Junior High for grades 7–9.
- Founded 1930 by the parish
- Preschool added 2007 (300 Lexington)
- 2013 U.S. Dept. of Education National Blue Ribbon School
- Enrollment ~290; average class size ~15
- Curriculum: Religion, language arts, math, science, social studies, Spanish, fine arts, PE, Learning Lab
- Principal (at 2013 nomination): Sharon Blentlinger
Religious Education & Youth
In addition to the parish school, Immaculate Conception runs a Parish Religious Education (PRE) program for public-school students in grades 1–12, meeting on Wednesday and Sunday evenings August through May. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) process for adults is coordinated by Peggy Brandebura. A Vacation Bible School is offered one week each July for children ages 4–10, staffed by parish volunteers.
- Parish Religious Education (PRE), grades 1–12
- OCIA Coordinator: Peggy Brandebura ([email protected])
- C/DRE: Surennah Werley
- Assistant DRE/Communications: Cecilia Garcia
- Vacation Bible School, one week in July, ages 4–10
4:12@IC Youth Ministry
4:12@IC is Immaculate Conception's youth ministry for grades 6 through 8, open to all youth regardless of church or religious affiliation. The program combines social and community-building activities, catechesis, service projects, youth Masses, and prayer and worship services, and uses the parish's renovated youth center. The Sunday-evening 5:00 PM Youth Mass is a centerpiece of the program. The ministry is coordinated by Loretta Collins (479-883-5570, [email protected]) with assistance from Josey Rowe.
- Open to all 6th–8th grade youth
- Coordinator: Loretta Collins (479-883-5570)
- Meets in the parish youth center
- Includes a weekly 5:00 PM Sunday Youth Mass
Hispanic Ministry
Immaculate Conception maintains an active Hispanic Ministry, coordinated by Mariella Araujo ([email protected]). The parish offers Spanish-language Masses every Sunday (12:00 noon and 2:00 PM), a weekly Tuesday evening Spanish Mass at 6:00 PM, and a weekly Thursday evening Spanish Mass at 6:00 PM, in addition to a Spanish Holy Day Mass at 6:00 PM. The parish registration form is fully bilingual.
- Coordinator: Mariella Araujo
- Spanish Mass every Sunday (12:00 PM, 2:00 PM)
- Spanish Mass Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 PM
Christian Outreach
Outreach is a defining mark of the parish. St. Anne's Society Assistance Program — a collaboration of the three Fort Smith Catholic parishes (Immaculate Conception, Christ the King, and St. Boniface) — provides utility and housing assistance for low-income and homeless residents of Sebastian County. As of October 3 of the program's move year, it operates from the Riverview Hope Campus at 301 S. E Street in Fort Smith, with assistance hours on Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:30 AM. Assistance is limited to once every 12 months per recipient. Every Friday, parishioners visit and counsel youth in the juvenile section of the Sebastian County Jail, and once a month the parish sponsors a 'free world meal' — a special meal purchased and prepared by parishioners instead of institutional food — for the detained youth. The Harris Project, named for former IC associate pastor Fr. Jack Harris, is the coordinating arm of this ministry; inquiries can be directed to Lucy Buerg at 479-452-8222.
- St. Anne's Society Assistance Program — utility/housing aid (tri-parish)
- Riverview Hope Campus, 301 S. E Street, Fort Smith
- Weekly visits to Sebastian County Juvenile Detention
- Monthly 'free world meal' for detained youth — The Harris Project (Fr. Jack Harris)
- Seminarian education support
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music at Immaculate Conception is led by Choir Director Shannon Stoddard ([email protected]) and Organist Bradley Kessler. The parish choir supports the Sunday and weekday English Mass schedule, including the livestreamed 10:00 AM Sunday and 7:00 AM Monday Masses.
- Choir Director: Shannon Stoddard
- Organist: Bradley Kessler
Parish Staff & Office
In addition to clergy, the parish is supported by a full office and ministry staff. The parish office at 22 North 13th Street is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and closed on Fridays.
- Business Manager: Cindy McNally ([email protected])
- Bookkeeper: Linda Maestri ([email protected])
- Secretary: Pam Seiter ([email protected])
- C/DRE: Surennah Werley ([email protected])
- Assistant DRE/Communications: Cecilia Garcia ([email protected])
- OCIA Coordinator: Peggy Brandebura ([email protected])
- Hispanic Ministry: Mariella Araujo ([email protected])
- Youth Ministry: Loretta Collins ([email protected]), Josey Rowe ([email protected])
- Organist: Bradley Kessler
- Choir Director: Shannon Stoddard ([email protected])
Becoming a Parishioner
Immaculate Conception invites new members to register either online or by downloading and returning a PDF form to the church office, by mail to P.O. Box 1866, Fort Smith, AR 72902-1866, by fax to (479) 783-7865, or via the collection basket. Parish registration is required before receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, or Holy Matrimony.
- Online registration form available at icchurch.com
- PDF form downloadable from the parish website
- Registration required prior to receiving the major sacraments
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Corryfirst pastor, c. 1845–1847
First pastor of the parish; began a church on the site that may not have been completed.
- Fr. Peter W. Walshfrom 1847
Succeeded Fr. Corry as pastor in 1847.
- Fr. John O'Reilly
Succeeded Fr. Walsh.
- Fr. Philip Shanahan
Followed Fr. O'Reilly.
- Fr. Lawrence Smyth1861–1908
Longest-serving pastor (47 years); assisted by his brother Michael. Oversaw dramatic parish growth, acquisition of nearly a square mile on old Fort Belknap, and the 1867 frame church.
- Fr. Jack Harris
Former IC associate pastor; the parish's 'Harris Project' meal ministry to detained youth is named for him.