About Madalene · Tulsa, Oklahoma
Church of the Madalene is a Roman Catholic parish in midtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, located at 3188 East 22nd Street in the Diocese of Tulsa. Founded in 1946 by Christ the King Parish, the community worships in a mid-century church building of red brick and Tennessee sandstone that was one of the first air-conditioned churches in Oklahoma. Today the parish serves an active and diverse community of about a hundred families and beyond, offering daily and weekend Mass (including a Latin/English Wednesday Mass), weekly Eucharistic adoration, and a wide range of liturgical, formation, and fellowship ministries.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Saint Mary Magdalene
- Rector
- Rev. Desmond Okpogba
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa
Why belong here
The Church of the Madalene welcomes visitors, new parishioners, those seeking to return to the faith, and those interested in becoming Catholic through its OCIA program. The parish offers daily Mass (including a unique Wednesday Latin/English Mass), weekly Eucharistic adoration, and a rich mix of liturgical and parish-life ministries — from the Knights of Columbus and Women of the Madalene to the Shawl Ministry, Grief Support, Mother's Day Out, and an active Family Faith Formation program. With a longstanding Tulsa history since 1946, the parish combines a deeply rooted Catholic tradition with a warm, multigenerational community feel.
Mass times at Madalene
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Saturday: 4:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Sunday: 9:30–9:55 AM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Friday: 6:00–7:00 PM (Diocesan Adoration Chapel)
Parish History
The Church of the Madalene was established in 1946 when Christ the King Parish purchased land — situated next to a golf course and over a coal mine — to form a new parish. The first structure was a one-room building serving about a hundred families; it later became the school cafeteria. Additional classrooms were added in 1948, 1949, and 1953, and the main church was formally dedicated by Bishop Eugene J. McGuiness on December 10, 1953. The parish takes its name from the French form of Saint Mary Magdalene. Its school, which opened in 1948 and once had 400 students in eight grades taught by six sisters and two lay teachers, closed in 1970 due to the cost of maintaining state accreditation.
- Founded 1946 by Christ the King Parish
- Main church dedicated December 10, 1953 by Most Reverend Eugene J. McGuiness
- First pastor: Reverend James McNamee (ordained in Ireland)
- School open 1948–1970
- Name taken from the French form of Saint Mary Magdalene
Architecture & Building
The church was designed by architect David G. Murry and constructed of red brick and Tennessee sandstone — the sandstone having been personally laid by parishioner Earl Neely. It was one of the first air-conditioned churches in Oklahoma. Distinctive handmade devotional touches include Father Walsch's clay crucifix, formed from native clay on church grounds, and Mrs. Weigl's Stations of the Cross, designed by a parishioner and baked in her home oven.
- Architect: David G. Murry
- Materials: red brick and Tennessee sandstone
- One of the first air-conditioned churches in Oklahoma
- Clay crucifix designed by Father Walsch
- Stations of the Cross designed by parishioner Mrs. Weigl
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is served by its pastor, three deacons (one retired), and a dedicated lay staff overseeing parish life, faith formation, music, communications, and facilities. The Mother of the parish office team — listed in full on the parish website — coordinates the day-to-day life of the community.
- Pastor: Rev. Desmond Okpogba
- Deacon Nelson Sousa
- Deacon Kevin Stephenson
- Deacon Robert DeWeese (Retired)
- Parish Life / Pastoral Care Coordinator: Liz Poulter
- Director of Family Faith Formation: Haley Grant
- Music Director: Khadija Goz
- Mother's Day Out Director: Michelle Buckley
- Business Manager: June Benton
- Facilities Manager: Paul Steiner
- Communications Coordinator: Liz Poulter
Faith Formation
Family Faith Formation at the Madalene follows a 'Whole Family Catechesis' model promoted by Bishop David Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa: parents are recognized as the first and foremost educators of their children, and the parish supports them in that role. Religious Education classes for children from Pre-K through 11th grade meet weekly after the 10:00 AM Mass beginning after Labor Day. The parish also offers family-oriented devotional opportunities, including weekly Family Rosary for Discernment and Wednesday afternoon Family Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel.
- Whole Family Catechesis on the last Sunday of each month
- Religious Education classes Pre-K to 11th grade
- Family Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays 4:00–5:00 PM in the chapel
- Family Rosary for Discernment (hosted weekly by a different family)
- Sacramental Preparation available through the parish office
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Servers / Liturgical Assistants, Gift Bearers, Ushers and Greeters, and through the Music & Choir program. The parish also maintains a Traveling Vocations Crucifix program in which a crucifix travels from family to family for prayer.
- Extraordinary Ministers
- Lectors
- Servers / Liturgical Assistants
- Gift Bearers
- Ushers / Greeters
- Music & Choir
- Traveling Vocations Crucifix
Parish Life & Community Groups
Beyond Sunday Mass, the Madalene offers a wide range of groups and volunteer opportunities that bring parishioners together across ages and interests — from coffee and donuts after Mass to bereavement support, knitting for charity, and men's and women's spiritual fellowship.
- Coffee and Donuts
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
- Women of the Madalene
- Knights of Columbus
- Grief Support
- Shawl Ministry
- Prayer Partners
- Gardening Ministry
- Mother's Day Out Program
- Social Concerns Committee
Youth Ministry
A parish Youth Group for middle- and high-school teens is led by Ian and Bridget Riley. Faith formation for young people continues through the parish Religious Education program and sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation.
- Youth Group led by Ian and Bridget Riley
- Contact: [email protected]
- Ties into Family Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Adults interested in becoming Catholic, or fully initiated in the Catholic Church, are invited into the parish's OCIA process (formerly RCIA). Inquiries are welcomed by the pastor and a lay coordinator.
- OCIA directed by Rev. Desmond Okpogba
- Lay contact: Chris King (918) 527-5329
Office & Practical Information
The parish office is open Monday through Friday and is closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. The office is also closed on holidays and Holy Days of Obligation. Live-streamed Mass is offered for those unable to attend in person.
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch)
- Closed on holidays and Holy Days of Obligation
- Live streaming Mass available via the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend James McNamee
First pastor of the parish. Born in Ireland, came to the United States at age 19 and was ordained at age 23. Forward-thinking priest who advocated the liturgy in the vernacular years before Vatican II. Known affectionately as 'Father Mac.'