About Saint Francis · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is one of the oldest Catholic communities in Oklahoma, with roots that reach back to before statehood and the first bishop's residence in the territory. Located at 1901 NW 18th Street in the Gatewood Historic District of Oklahoma City, the parish shares its grounds with the historic 1906 Meerschaert House, where Catholics once gathered for Sunday Mass by horseback and covered wagon. Today it is a parish of roughly 1,200 families served by Rosary Catholic School, daily and Sunday Mass, perpetual adoration, and a wide range of parish ministries. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and is dedicated to the witness of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals and model of radical discipleship.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. John Paul Lewis
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a 1,200-family community rooted in a century of Catholic life on the very ground where Oklahoma's first bishop once welcomed the faithful. Parishioners are nourished by daily Mass in the historic Meerschaert House chapel, two Sunday Masses with livestream, school Masses, Saturday confessions, and nearly full-day Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays and Fridays. Their children can attend Rosary Catholic School on the same campus, and parishioners of every age find a place through RCIA, the Middle School and High School youth programs, Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, Parish Nurse Ministry, Mobile Meals, St. Vincent de Paul, Young at Heart seniors, and Boy/Girl Scouts. If you are looking for a parish where faith formation, outreach, school, and a deep reverence for the Eucharist come together in one historic neighborhood, St. Francis of Assisi is ready to welcome you.
Mass times at Saint Francis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the church
Adoration times
- Thursday — Adoration from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Friday — Adoration from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Parish History
St. Francis of Assisi parish traces its story to 1904, when Bishop Theophile Meerschaert was authorized to build Oklahoma's first Catholic bishop's residence on the Walch Family farm. Catholics came by horseback and covered wagon to the bishop's chapel for Sunday Mass. Bishop Meerschaert lived there until 1924 and Bishop Francis C. Kelley until 1932. In 1925 Bishop Kelley formally established a parish on the site, and in 1927 Father John Van den Hende opened what would become Rosary School. The present Shrine of St. Francis was dedicated on May 22, 1947. The parish today counts roughly 1,200 families and shares its campus with the historic Meerschaert House, a designated Oklahoma City landmark.
- 1904 — Vatican authorizes Bishop Meerschaert's residence on the Walch farm
- 1906 — Meerschaert House (chapel + residence) dedicated; first bishop's residence in Oklahoma
- 1925 — Parish formally established by Bishop Francis C. Kelley
- 1927 — Fr. John Van den Hende founds the parish school (Sisters of Mercy staff)
- 1934 — School moves into Meerschaert House
- 1938 — Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa take over; school renamed 'Rosary'
- 1947 (May 22) — Shrine of Saint Francis dedicated by Bishop Eugene McGuinness at $192,000
- 2013 — Fr. William Novak, V.G., assigned as pastor
Shrine of Saint Francis — The Church Building
The current church was built immediately after World War II and dedicated on May 22, 1947 by Bishop Eugene McGuinness at a cost of $192,000. The steeple cross rises 128 feet. The structure combines pink Tennessee marble, white Italian marble statues, Bedford blocks, and St. Meinrad sandstone under a red tile roof. Magnificent stained-glass windows depict scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi, giving the building its name as the Shrine of Saint Francis.
- Dedicated May 22, 1947 by Bishop Eugene McGuinness
- Construction cost: $192,000
- Steeple cross height: 128 feet
- Materials: pink Tennessee marble, white Italian marble, Bedford blocks, St. Meinrad sandstone
- Red tile roof; stained-glass windows of St. Francis's life
The Meerschaert House
Built in 1906 as the first bishop's residence in Oklahoma, the Meerschaert House sits at the heart of the parish campus and has served successive roles: bishop's home, parish chapel, convent, school, and now parish offices and meeting spaces. It is a designated landmark of the Oklahoma City Historic Preservation Society. The 7:30 a.m. daily Mass (Tuesday–Friday) is celebrated in the Meerschaert House Chapel.
- Built 1904–1906 on the Walch Family farm
- Declared a landmark by the Oklahoma City Historic Preservation Society
- Site of the daily 7:30 a.m. Mass (Tue–Fri) in the Meerschaert House Chapel
- Used as parish offices, meeting space, and historically as convent and school
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
Sunday Mass is offered on Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. (Vigil) and on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (livestreamed). Daily Mass is celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 a.m. in the Meerschaert House Chapel and on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. A school Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. when Rosary School is in session.
Rosary Catholic School
Rosary School, founded in 1927, shares the parish campus and has a long reputation for Catholic educational excellence. Originally staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and (since 1938) by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, it was renamed 'Rosary' after the Dominican Rosary College where the sisters had trained. The school has grown to include preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school grades, with the Eichhoff Preschool Annex and T. Phillip Kierl Sr. Gymnasium added in the 1990s, and the Margaret Love Early Childhood Development Center added in 2002. The current principal is Mrs. Christy Harris; the school office can be reached at (405) 525-9272.
- Founded 1927 by Fr. John Van den Hende
- Renamed 'Rosary School' in 1938 in honor of Rosary College, River Forest, IL
- Staffed since 1938 by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin
- Eichhoff Preschool Annex and Kierl Gymnasium added 1995
- Margaret Love Early Childhood Development Center added 2002
- Principal: Mrs. Christy Harris (405) 525-9272
Faith Formation — RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults meets in the Meerschaert House every Sunday morning following the 8:30 a.m. Mass. The main study session runs from about 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. The parish follows the standard four phases: Inquiry / Pre-catechumenate (year-round), Catechumenate (mid-October to Lent), Period of Purification and Enlightenment (Rite of Sending and Election through the Easter Vigil), and Mystagogy. Contact Dr. Peter Epps at [email protected] or call the parish office (405) 528-0485.
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
Religious Education for children preparing for First Reconciliation, First Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation is directed by Teresa Schumacher. The Baptismal Seminar is offered four times a year for parents and godparents of infants and children under age 7.
- Director of Religious Education: Teresa Schumacher, 405-948-8743
- Baptismal Seminar offered four times annually
Youth & Family Ministry
The parish runs Middle School and High School Youth programs providing a safe, welcoming environment with spiritual, social, and service opportunities integral to Catholic youth ministry. The Director of Youth and Family Ministries is Ms. Kari Stender.
Social Outreach Ministries
St. Francis of Assisi runs a notably broad outreach program. The Parish Nurse Ministry offers monthly blood pressure screenings, communion to the homebound, and an annual Health Fair with flu shots and seminars. Mobile Meals volunteers prepare and deliver meals to the homebound and seniors every Friday. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference helps those in need with emergency food, clothing, furniture, utility, and rent assistance. The Altar Society unites all the women of the parish in altar care, church cleaning, funeral dinners, and works of charity.
- Parish Nurse Ministry — blood pressure screenings, homebound communion, annual Health Fair
- Mobile Meals — every Friday
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Altar Society
Fraternal, Service & Community Groups
Beyond outreach, the parish hosts Knights of Columbus Council (charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism; Sunday Pancake Breakfast, Tootsie Roll Drive, Breakfast with Santa), Young at Heart (social group for parishioners 50+), Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts/Brownies, and the OCU (Oklahoma City University) Campus Ministry that connects OCU students with parish life and the Adult Choir. Worship and Wine gathers adult women on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
- Knights of Columbus
- Young at Heart (50+ social group)
- Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts
- Girl Scouts & Brownies
- OCU Campus Ministry
- Worship and Wine — first Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music is led by the Director of Sacred Music and Organist Mr. Alvez Barkoskie IV. The Adult Choir welcomes members and is closely connected with the Oklahoma City University Campus Ministry.
Pastor & Staff
Fr. William Novak, V.G., was assigned as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in July 2013 by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley. Born in Chicago, he moved to Oklahoma City in 1979, attended Mount St. Mary High School, St. Meinrad College, and St. Meinrad School of Theology, and was ordained on May 30, 1997. He previously served as pastor of St. John Nepomuk (Yukon), associate pastor of St. Charles Borromeo (OKC), chaplain of Mt. St. Mary and McGuinness Catholic High Schools, Vocations Director, and Director of Seminarians. He also serves as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. William Novak, V.G. — [email protected], ext. 12
- Director of Youth and Family Ministries: Ms. Kari Stender — [email protected], ext. 25
- Director of Sacred Music & Organist: Mr. Alvez Barkoskie IV — [email protected]
- Director of RCIA & Library: Dr. Peter Epps — [email protected], ext. 11
- Director of Religious Education: Teresa Schumacher — [email protected], ext. 15
- Business Manager: Mrs. Jill Jacoby — [email protected], ext. 14
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Mrs. Kim Young — [email protected]
- Parish Secretary: Mrs. Lynn Cochran — [email protected], ext. 10
- Rosary School Principal: Mrs. Christy Harris — [email protected], (405) 525-9272 ext. 18
- Rosary School Secretary: Mrs. Patty Roberts — [email protected], ext. 19
Sacraments at St. Francis of Assisi
The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), Healing (Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick), and Vocation (Marriage, Holy Orders). Infant Baptism requires registered, practicing Catholic parents who have attended the quarterly Baptismal Seminar; at least one godparent must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic who has attended the seminar. Adults seeking Baptism enter through the RCIA process. Marriage preparation requires at least six months' notice per Archdiocesan policy. Men discerning Holy Orders are invited to contact Fr. Novak or Fr. Warren or the Archdiocesan Vocations office.
- Baptism — infants/children under 7; adults through RCIA
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — Religious Education
- Confirmation
- Marriage — six months' preparation required
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders — contact pastor or Archdiocesan Vocations
Parish Registration
Newcomers are invited to register as parishioners through the Parish Registration Form available on the parish website. Registered members can request Baptism, schedule weddings, and access parish communications.
Visit & Contact
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is located at 1901 NW 18th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106, in the Gatewood Historic District. The parish office can be reached at (405) 528-0485 or [email protected]. The campus includes the historic Meerschaert House, the Shrine of St. Francis church, parish hall, Rosary Catholic School, and the Braniff House rectory.
- Address: 1901 NW 18th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
- Phone: (405) 528-0485
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stfrancisokc.com/
- Childcare available during Sunday Masses (Old Rectory)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Van den Hende1927–
Belgian missionary; founded the parish school (later Rosary School) and brought in the Sisters of Mercy.
- Fr. Van der Grintenby 1935
Built the new rectory at 18th & Kentucky and oversaw construction of the present Shrine of St. Francis, dedicated in 1947.
- Fr. Bart Murtaugh1953–
Retired military chaplain; enlarged the rectory and modernized the Meerschaert House.
- Msgr. John Waldeafter Murtaugh
Oklahoma's famous 'Radio Priest' and Catholic pamphlet author; purchased 1925 NW 19th as a convent.
- Fr. George Wagner1970–
Established the Board of Christian Education and Parish Council and stabilized parish finances.
- Fr. John Petuskey1977–
Renovated the Kelley Room in 1983; as Archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools he expanded Rosary School with kindergarten, preschool, and before/after-school care.
- Fr. William Eichhoff1987–
Son of the parish; led campaigns to renovate/expand the school (1990) and add the Eichhoff Annex and Kierl Gym (1995).
- Fr. Charles Schettler1985–2009
Pastor-in-residence until his death in December 2009; former Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocesan Tribunal.
- Fr. Thomas Dowdell1997–
A former assistant at the parish (27 years earlier); led the community through healing after Fr. Eichhoff's death and refocused on spiritual mission.
- Fr. Richard Stansberry2002–
Added four classrooms to the school, created the Margaret Love Early Childhood Development Center, and relocated parish offices to the first floor of Meerschaert House.
- Fr. Charles Murphy2007–
Acquired and refurbished the 'Braniff House' as a new rectory and bought two adjacent homes for possible campus expansion.
- Fr. William Novak, V.G.2013–present
Assigned by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley; also serves as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese.