About Sacred Heart · Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic parish serving Sapulpa, Oklahoma and the surrounding Creek County area from its home at 1777 E Grayson Avenue. A parish of the Diocese of Tulsa, it was established in 1907 — the same year Oklahoma achieved statehood — making it one of the older Catholic communities in the region. Today the parish is led by Fr. Matthew LaChance, pastor, assisted by three deacons and a full staff, offering weekend and weekday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacraments, Religious Education, RCIA, a youth group, and a variety of lay volunteer ministries.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Matthew LaChance
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a true bilingual Catholic home in Sapulpa — every weekend has a Spanish Mass at 8:00 AM and an English Mass at 10:30 AM, with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday. Families can grow in faith through Religious Education, First Communion and Confirmation preparation, RCIA for adults, and a youth group for grades 7–12, while daily Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (Tuesday, Thursday in Spanish, and Friday) and a weekly Saturday confession schedule create a steady rhythm of prayer. The parish grounds — including an Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and Stations of the Cross meditation gardens — give the community a beautiful place to gather, and multiple volunteer ministries welcome newcomers looking to serve.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
- By appointment (contact the parish office)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Thursday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Spanish)
- Friday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Welcome and Parish Identity
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sapulpa describes itself as a parish 'Living and Spreading the Gospel,' offering bilingual worship, a steady schedule of Masses and confessions, and a welcoming environment for newcomers. The parish invites visitors to attend Mass, learn more about the community, and register as parishioners.
- Weekend and daily Mass schedule posted on the home page
- Newcomers welcome
- Weekly bulletin and parish calendar online
Parish History
The parish traces its roots to 1893, when Father William H. Ketcham of Muskogee began visiting Sapulpa after receiving an 1894 permit from Creek Chief George Perryman to build a church in Indian Territory. Formally established as Sacred Heart Parish in 1907, the community built a frame church that year, replaced it with a Jacobean Gothic brick church in 1922, ran a parish school from 1947 to 1971, and moved to its present 1777 E Grayson campus in 1989. A sanctuary remodel was completed and rededicated by Bishop Konderla in 2024.
- First Catholic contact in Sapulpa: 1893
- Parish formally established: 1907 (year Oklahoma became a state)
- Jacobean Gothic brick church built 1922
- Parish school and convent opened 1947, closed 1971
- Current worship building dedicated 1989
- Rectory dedicated September 22, 1991
- 75th anniversary celebrated 1982; 100th anniversary 2007
- Sanctuary remodel rededicated by Bishop Konderla June 29, 2024
Our Staff
Sacred Heart is led by a pastoral team including the pastor and three deacons, supported by a secretary, music director, coordinator of religious education, and youth group coordinator.
- Fr. Matthew LaChance — Pastor
- Deacon Mark Pittman
- Deacon Greg Stice
- Deacon Carlos Moreno
- Jennifer Rumsey — Secretary
- Virginia McCoy — Music Director
- Jeff Everard — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Lizabeth Ervin — Youth Group Coordinator
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at Sacred Heart spans children, teens, and adults. First Communion preparation begins in 2nd grade, with RCIC classes for older or unbaptized children also starting in the fall. Confirmation classes begin in the fall and are celebrated every other year at Sacred Heart. Adult formation includes the Becoming Catholic (RCIA) process for those exploring the faith, baptized Catholics seeking First Communion or Confirmation, or those already Catholic who want to deepen their understanding.
- First Communion classes (Grade 2) — begin September 14
- RCIC for older or unbaptized children — begin September 14
- Confirmation preparation — every other year at Sacred Heart
- Becoming Catholic / RCIA (adults 18+) — classes begin September 6 at 7:00 PM
- Religious Education coordinated by Jeff Everard
Youth Ministry
A parish youth group serves students in Grades 7 through 12, providing formation, fellowship, and service opportunities for the teen members of the parish community.
- Youth Group for Grades 7–12
- Coordinated by Lizabeth Ervin
Sacraments
Sacred Heart celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments and provides catechesis and preparation for each. The parish website includes dedicated pages for Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Couples are asked to contact the pastor at least six months in advance of a wedding for marriage preparation.
- Baptism — preparation available
- Confirmation — every other year at Sacred Heart, classes in the fall
- Holy Eucharist — daily and Sunday Mass; First Communion classes for 2nd graders
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:30–5:15 PM and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by request to the parish office
- Holy Orders — vocations discernment
- Matrimony — at least six months advance notice required
Parish Organizations and Volunteer Opportunities
The parish maintains a long list of lay volunteer and ministry opportunities, both inside the church (catechists, substitutes, aides) and in service to the wider community (transportation for seniors, outreach, stewardship). Newcomers are formally welcomed through a dedicated ministry, and a maintenance team helps care for the parish grounds and facilities.
- Religious Education: Teachers, Substitute/Aides, Confirmation volunteers
- Youth Group leaders
- RCIA: Catechist, Sponsor, Candidate support
- Maintenance and grounds care
- Stewardship committee
- Outreach and I Need Transportation (senior transportation assistance)
- Newcomers Welcome ministry
- Web Page / Computer Tech support
- Babysitting during parish events
Parish Grounds and Memorial Gardens
The Sacred Heart campus on East Grayson Avenue is known for its devotional landscape, including the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and the Stations of the Cross meditation gardens — both envisioned under Fr. Charles Hewawasam and dedicated in 2001 and 2002. The gardens offer parishioners and visitors a quiet place for prayer and reflection alongside the main church and rectory.
- Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto dedicated 2001
- Stations of the Cross meditation gardens — construction began 2001, dedicated 2002
Contact and Office Hours
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (one source lists 3:00 PM) and Friday mornings from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The office is closed on Holy Days of Obligation. Inquiries can be directed to general office staff or to specific team members — including the pastor, deacons, secretary, music director, religious education coordinator, and youth group coordinator — via the website contact form.
- Address: 1777 E Grayson Ave, Sapulpa, OK 74066
- Phone: 918-224-0944
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Online contact form routes messages to staff by topic
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. W. H. Ketcham1893–1899
Missionary from Muskogee who began periodic visits; received 1894 permit from Creek Chief George Perryman to build a church.
- Fr. Van Eyck1907–
First pastor when Sacred Heart Mission was made a parish and the frame church & rectory were built.
- Fr. James Rooney1929–1941
Pastor to over 400 families.
- Fr. John Lynch1941–1943
Left to serve in the Armed Forces.
- Fr. Francis X. Neville1943–1964
Established the parish school and convent in 1947.
- Fr. Joseph Kolb1964–1965
- Fr. Patrick Murtagh1965–1972
Parish school closed in 1971 during his tenure.
- Fr. James Greiner1972
- Fr. Thomas K. Melton1973–1981
- Fr. Neal Brogan1981–1984
- Fr. Daniel C. Keohane1984–1996
Oversaw the move to 1777 E Grayson; new church dedicated 1989, rectory dedicated 1991.
- Fr. Jake Males1996–2000
Retired from active pastorate.
- Fr. Charles Hewawasam2000–2002
Visionary for the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and Stations of the Cross gardens.
- Fr. Stuart Crevcour2002–2007
Celebrated the parish's 100th anniversary in 2007.
- Fr. Jovita Okonkwo2007–2014
- Fr. Louis Obirieze2014–2024
Directed 2024 sanctuary remodel; rededicated by Bishop Konderla June 29, 2024.
- Fr. Matthew LaChance2024–present
Current pastor.