About Immaculate Conception · Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, often called the "Cathedral of the Osage," is a historic Roman Catholic parish established in 1887 to serve the Osage Catholics of Pawhuska. The present red-brick Gothic-style cruciform church — the parish's third — was begun in 1910 and completed in 1915, and is renowned for its 22 stained-glass windows crafted in Munich, Germany (commissioned in 1919 after World War I delayed the original plan). The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma and today is served by Rev. Emmanuel Nduka with Deacon Robert Axsom, with weekend and daily Mass offered in Pawhuska and mission Masses in Barnsdall and Shidler.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Rev. Emmanuel Nduka
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a small, historically rich parish that has ministered to the Osage Catholics of Pawhuska since 1887, and today welcomes all who walk through its doors — the parish's own message is simply 'Feel free to visit. We would love to see you!' Daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and Confession are offered throughout the week, weekend Masses are celebrated in Pawhuska and at mission churches in Barnsdall and Shidler, and the parish maintains a remarkable cathedral-shaped building and Munich-made stained glass that draws visitors of every faith.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:40 AM (Pawhuska, before 9:00 AM Mass)
- Sunday 10:55 AM (in Barnsdall, before 11:15 AM Mass)
- Tuesday 5:30 PM (Pawhuska, before 6:15 PM Mass)
- Wednesday 5:30 PM (Pawhuska, before 6:15 PM Mass)
- Thursday 5:30 PM (Pawhuska, before 6:15 PM Mass in chapel)
- Friday 5:30 PM (Pawhuska, before/after Adoration)
- Saturday 5:10 PM (in Shidler, before 5:30 PM Mass)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:30 PM — Pawhuska
- Wednesday 5:30 PM — Pawhuska
- Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Pawhuska (in the chapel)
- Friday 5:30 PM — Pawhuska
About Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, is affectionately known as the 'Cathedral of the Osage.' Built in the shape of a cathedral, the church has served as an important part of the life and history of the Osage people. The parish was established in 1887 to serve the Osage Catholics of Pawhuska; the present Gothic-style brick church is the parish's third, begun in 1910 and completed in 1915. Volunteers offer guided tours of the church two days a week, and visitors of all faiths come each year to see the Munich-made stained glass and interior as a historical monument of the Osage.
- Parish established 1887 for the Osage Catholics of Pawhuska
- Present church is the third church built by the parish
- Construction: 1910–1915
- Known as the 'Cathedral of the Osage'
- Free Friday church tours (1:00 PM and 2:00 PM) by volunteers — call the morning of the tour
History
The Catholic story among the Osage goes back centuries. In 1673, French missionary and explorer Fr. Jacques Marquette came upon a band of Osage Indians in what is now Missouri, and Jesuit 'black robes' continued to visit Osage villages in the years that followed. In 1846 Fr. John Shoenmakers, S.J. — later called the 'Father of Civilization' in southeast Kansas — came among the Osage to assess the mission, and in 1847 he established a permanent mission and schools at what is now St. Paul, Kansas. He worked for 36 years among the Osage until his death in 1883, by which time the tribe had been moved southward into Indian Territory (now Osage County, Oklahoma).
- 1673 — Fr. Jacques Marquette encounters the Osage in Missouri
- 1846 — Fr. John Shoenmakers, S.J. first visits the Osage
- 1847 — Permanent mission and schools founded at St. Paul, Kansas
- 1883 — Fr. Shoenmakers dies after 36 years among the Osage
- 1887 — Immaculate Conception Catholic Church established in Pawhuska
The Building and Stained-Glass Windows
The Gothic-style brick church, begun in 1910 and completed in 1915, was planned and its construction overseen by Father Edward Van Waesberghe. The original plan called for large stained-glass windows, but World War I delayed the project; the windows were finally commissioned in 1919. Twenty-two windows, made in Munich, Germany, by the Bavarian Art Glass Company and installed with special dispensation from the pope, adorn the walls today, and the artistry is truly exceptional. Two of the largest windows depict Columbus arriving in the New World and being met by Indians, and the arrival of Father Shoemaker to meet the Osage in Kansas before the tribe's removal to Indian Territory. The building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on May 21, 1979 (NRHP #79002015).
- Architectural style: Gothic, red brick, cruciform plan
- 22 stained-glass windows by the Bavarian Art Glass Company of Munich, Germany
- Windows commissioned 1919 (delayed by World War I)
- Installed with special papal dispensation
- Two largest windows: Columbus meeting Indians; Father Shoemaker meeting the Osage
- National Register of Historic Places, May 21, 1979 (NRHP #79002015)
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently served by Rev. Emmanuel Nduka as pastor and Deacon Robert Axsom. Fr. Nduka can be reached through the parish office or at [email protected], and Deacon Axsom at [email protected], per the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma parish finder.
- Pastor: Rev. Emmanuel Nduka
- Deacon: Robert Axsom
Visiting the Parish and Mission Churches
Immaculate Conception is located at 1314 Lynn Avenue, Pawhuska, OK 74056. The parish also serves mission communities at St. Mary in Barnsdall (204–298 W. Chestnut Avenue, Barnsdall, OK 74002, 918-793-8211) and St. Ann's in Shidler. The parish's simple invitation to visitors is: 'Feel free to visit. We would love to see you!'
- Immaculate Conception — 1314 Lynn Avenue, Pawhuska, OK 74056 — 918-287-1414
- St. Mary, Barnsdall — 204–298 W. Chestnut Avenue, Barnsdall, OK 74002 — 918-793-8211
- St. Ann's, Shidler
Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. The parish office is best contacted at 918-287-1414 or [email protected].
- Phone: 918-287-1414
- Email: [email protected]
- In person: 1314 Lynn Avenue, Pawhuska, OK 74056
- Website: http://pawhuskaiccc.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Shoenmakers, S.J.1846–1883 (missionary era; died 1883)
Jesuit known as the 'Apostle to the Osage' and 'Father of Civilization' in southeast Kansas; established a permanent mission and schools for the Osage in 1847 at what is now St. Paul, Kansas.
- Father Edward Van Waesbergheearly 1900s (building era)
Planned the present Gothic-style brick church and the stained-glass window program; also directly helped in its construction.