About Sacred Heart · Skiatook, Oklahoma
Sacred Heart Parish is a small Catholic parish serving the community of Skiatook, Oklahoma, in the rolling Osage country north of Tulsa. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma and traces its roots to the Catholic families who followed the Osage removal from Kansas in the 1870s. Today it offers weekday and Sunday Mass in English along with a Rosary devotion before each service, and an active slate of liturgical and community ministries.
- Established
- 1921
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Kenneth Iheanacho
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a close-knit, traditional Catholic community where the Rosary is prayed before every Mass and the faithful know each other by name. A wide range of lay ministries — from Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, and Altar Servers to Music, Greeters, Faith Formation, Community Outreach, and Social Activities — make it easy for new families to get involved. The parish combines a deeply historic setting (the present stone church dates to 1950 and sits beside the 1925 rectory) with a simple, welcoming schedule of Mass and confession.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00-4:30 PM
- After any Mass
- By appointment
Sacred Heart Parish — Skiatook, Oklahoma
Sacred Heart Parish is a small Roman Catholic parish serving Skiatook and the surrounding Osage County communities, in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. The parish is led by Fr. Kenneth Iheanacho and gathers around a steady schedule of weekday and Sunday Mass preceded by the Rosary. Its motto on the website — 'United in Hope, Joined in Faith' — reflects a tight-knit community that prays, serves, and worships together across more than a century of local Catholic history.
Parish History
Catholic life in the Skiatook area dates to the early 1870s, when Catholic families settled here following the Osage removal from Kansas. From 1872 to 1879, the well-known Italian Jesuit missionary Father Paul Ponziglione traveled in to celebrate Mass in private homes roughly four times a year. After Holy Family Church was established in Tulsa, Father John Heiring became the driving force behind building a permanent church in Skiatook.
- 1872-1879: Father Paul Ponziglione visits Skiatook Catholic families about four times a year in their homes.
- May 30, 1921: First Sacred Heart Church dedicated on the SW corner of Osage and Fifth Streets — a brick building with oak pews; Father Joseph Woucters is the first pastor.
- 1925: The two-story rectory at 109 West 5th Street is built; it still stands.
- 33 founding families include the Tinkers, Guilfoyles, Foxes, Hoots, Riries, and Coyles.
- c. 1950: Father George Forner builds a new native-stone church across the street after the brick building is damaged by shifting soil; funded in part by the Catholic Church Extension Society, which requires the parish to be renamed St. William.
- 1954: The old brick church is razed and a parish hall is built on its footprint, using some of the original brick.
- 1988: A new parish hall is built west of the rectory.
- 1991: The parish council petitions the Bishop of Tulsa to restore the name 'Sacred Heart.'
- 1996: An addition provides office and meeting-room space.
- Source: Skiatook Museum newsletter article (circa 1999), submitted by Father James D. White.
Buildings & Campus
The parish campus straddles West 5th Street in central Skiatook. The 1925 two-story rectory at 109 W 5th Street is the oldest surviving parish building and remains the address of the parish office. Across the street to the north stands the current native-stone church, built around 1950 with stone donated by Osage County. A parish hall west of the rectory (1988) and a 1996 office/meeting-room addition support parish life and gatherings.
- 109 W 5th St. — two-story rectory (built 1925)
- Current stone church — built c. 1950
- Parish hall west of rectory — built 1988
- Office & meeting-room addition — built 1996
Clergy, Staff & Ministry Leaders
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Kenneth Iheanacho, with a small team of parish staff and ministry coordinators. The Diocese of Tulsa parish directory lists an Office Manager, Religious Education coordinator, Youth Ministry couple, RCIA coordinator, and Music Director for Sacred Heart Skiatook.
- Pastor: Rev. Kenneth Iheanacho — [email protected] / [email protected]
- Office Manager: Evon Martinez-Kaze
- Religious Education: Carol Thomas
- Youth Ministry: Patrick and Shellie Beard
- RCIA: Randy McGoffin
- Music Director: Jim Pardee
Lay Ministries & Parish Life
The parish website lists twelve broad areas where parishioners can serve, from the sanctuary to the community. Anyone interested is encouraged to call or visit the parish office at 918-396-1179 or 918-630-2499.
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Greeters
- Music
- Altar Servers
- Readers (Lectors)
- Sacristy/Altar
- Liturgical Scheduling
- Community Outreach
- Parish Support
- Social Activities
- Faith Formation
- Church Family
Sacraments
Sacred Heart celebrates the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. The parish office is the point of contact for scheduling and specific questions about each sacrament; the website also links to general sacramental information from the Franciscans.
- Baptism
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
Support & Giving
The parish website notes that online giving is 'under construction.' In the meantime, parishioners are asked to consider scheduling automatic donations through their bank. Contact details for the pastor and the parish office are listed on the Contact page.
- Online giving: under construction
- Suggested alternative: automatic bank donations
- Contact: [email protected] or 918-396-1179
Visiting & Contact
Sacred Heart welcomes visitors and newcomers at its West 5th Street campus in Skiatook. The parish office can be reached by phone, email, or in person; mail should be addressed to PO Box 878, Skiatook, OK 74070.
- Street address: 109 West 5th Street, Skiatook, OK 74070
- Mailing address: PO Box 878, Skiatook, OK 74070
- Phone: 918-396-1179 (also 918-630-2499)
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Paul Ponziglione1872-1879 (visits ~4x/year)
Italian Jesuit missionary who visited the early Catholic families in their homes following the Osage removal from Kansas.
- Father John Heiringpre-1921
Instrumental in building the first Sacred Heart Church in Skiatook after Holy Family Church was established in Tulsa.
- Father Joseph Woucters1921 onwards (first pastor)
First pastor of Sacred Heart Parish; oversaw the 1925 two-story rectory at 109 W 5th Street.
- Father George Forneraround 1950
Built the present native-stone church across the street after the original brick structure was damaged by shifting soil.
- Father James D. Whiteby 1999
Submitted the parish history article to the Skiatook Museum newsletter circa 1999.
- Rev. Kenneth Iheanachocurrent
Current pastor; also reached via the parish office and at [email protected].