About Saint John Nepomuk · Yukon, Oklahoma
St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Yukon, Oklahoma, belonging to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Its roots reach back to 1889 in the small Indian Territory community of Frisco, three years before Yukon itself was founded, making it one of the older Catholic communities in central Oklahoma. Today the parish serves Yukon and the surrounding area with a full schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and a parish school (PK3 through 8th grade) that opened in 1953. The parish mission statement reads: 'Through the Holy Spirit, we magnify God's greatness by walking together on our journey of faith and by building bridges that strengthen discipleship on our mission to follow Jesus Christ.'
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- Saint John of Nepomuk (John Nepomucene)
- Rector
- Rev. John Metzinger
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Why belong here
Saint John Nepomuk is a parish where the sacramental life is the centerpiece: Sunday Masses at 5:00pm Saturday Vigil and 8:00am & 10:30am Sunday, daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, weekly Confession, and a generous Eucharistic Adoration schedule (Wednesday afternoons and Friday 9:00am–9:00pm). A thriving PK3–8th grade school (the oldest parish school in the area, opened 1953) and an active youth program offer real formation for children and teens, while ministries like the Knights of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary, St. Vincent de Paul, Mother's Ministry, Homebound Ministry, Liturgical Ministries, and Catechists give adults many ways to serve. It is a multi-generational community committed to walking together on the journey of faith.
Mass times at Saint John Nepomuk
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:00 PM in the chapel
- Wednesdays 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesdays 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Fridays 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Children's Adoration: 1st Friday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
History of the Parish
Saint John Nepomuk Catholic Parish dates back to 1889 and a small Indian Territory community called Frisco. The town of Yukon was founded in 1892, but the parish had its beginning with the Catholic community of Frisco. Father F. Meis was appointed resident pastor in 1952, and under his inspiration the parish opened a school in 1953 staffed by Carmelite Sisters from Villa Teresa. The present church was dedicated in 1961 and the present school structure, cafeteria and parish offices at 600 South Garth Brooks Boulevard were completed in 1963. A Parish Board of Education formed in 1961–62 is believed to be the first Catholic Parochial School Board in the United States.
- Parish origins: 1889, Indian Territory community of Frisco
- Father F. Meis appointed resident pastor, April 26, 1952
- School groundbreaking October 13, 1952; building dedicated by Bishop Eugene McGuinness in 1953
- First school principal: Sister Helena Heinly, CST
- Carmelite Sisters served 1953–1989; last principal Sister Maria Francesca Forst (1988–89)
- Father James Ross became pastor in 1956; first eighth-grade class graduated under his pastorate
- Parish Board of Education established 1961–62 (believed first Catholic parochial school board in the U.S.)
- Present church structure dedicated May 16, 1961
- Present school/offices completed 1963; Sister Imelda, CST first principal in new building
- 1998: groundbreaking for new Parish Activity Center (gym, meeting rooms, youth room, K of C room, 8 classrooms)
- 2004–05: full-day Pre-Kindergarten (4) added
- 1999–2000: middle-school grades (7th, then 8th) restored
- 2016: middle-school 1-to-1 laptop initiative and elementary laptop cart
- 2017: inaugural Falcon 5K & Fun Run (Sept. 30); school designated Certified Healthy School in Oklahoma
- 2018: largest capital campaign to date — 'One Church, Many Disciples' — funded new tornado shelter / meeting space
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a pastor with the support of three permanent deacons and a lay staff that directs liturgy, faith formation, youth ministry, communications, and parish life. The school principal also serves on the staff team.
- Rev. John Metzinger — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Cliff Fitzmorris
- Deacon John Teague
- Deacon Larry Germann
- Robert Noble — Director of Liturgy and Music
- Jo Anna Bannister — Director of Faith Formation
- Bryan Hooper — Director of Religious Education, Adults / OCI
- Mandy McGoffin — Youth Coordinator
- Art Chernak — Parish Life Director
- Cathy Dahlquist — Parish Secretary / Safe Environment Facilitator
- Reyne Vanderburg — Communications Coordinator
- Sharon Hooper — Office Assistant
- George Meiwes — Principal (school)
St. John Nepomuk Catholic School
The parish school, believing each student is a child of God, offers a quality, contemporary education enriched by Gospel values as lived in the Catholic Church. It ministers to and serves God's people in the Yukon community and surrounding communities by providing a Christian, disciplined, caring and safe educational environment, integrating religious truths and values with an excellent academic program. The school is PK3 through eighth grade and is fully accredited through the Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accreditation Association, which is recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Parents are encouraged to call (405) 354-2509 to arrange a personal visit.
- Opened September 1, 1953 — first 50 students in grades 1–6
- Originally staffed by Carmelite Sisters from Villa Teresa, Oklahoma City
- PK3 through 8th grade
- Fully accredited (Oklahoma Conference of Catholic Schools Accreditation Association, recognized by Oklahoma State Department of Education)
- Enrollment priorities: registered, active parishioner children first, then other Catholics, then other faiths
- Class size caps: Pre-K(3) 15; Pre-K(4) 20; Kindergarten 22; Grades 1–8 24 (waiting lists after cap)
- Age cutoffs: Pre-K(3) by Aug 10; Pre-K(4) by Sep 1; Kindergarten by Sep 1 (age 5); 1st Grade by Sep 1 (age 6)
- Full-day Pre-Kindergarten added in 2004–2005
- 1-to-1 laptops for middle school (2016); elementary laptop cart with 24 computers
- Falcon 5K & Fun Run inaugurated Sept. 30, 2017; school designated Certified Healthy School in Oklahoma (2017)
- Athletic Director on staff; Art, Music, Theology, Spanish, Library/Technology, PE, Student Support
- School phone: (405) 354-2509
Faith Formation & OCIA
Jo Anna Bannister directs Faith Formation for children, while Bryan Hooper directs Religious Education for adults and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The parish hosts Catholic Inquirers sessions throughout the year — free and with no commitment — open to unbaptized adults (15+), Christians from other backgrounds, and Catholics bringing inquirers. Those who wish to continue may enter OCIA in late summer with full initiation at the Easter Vigil the following spring.
- Catholic Inquirers sessions (no cost, no obligation)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — weekly sessions late summer through Easter Vigil
- Adult Religious Education program
- Catechist ministry for parish faith formation
Youth Ministry
Mandy McGoffin serves as Youth Coordinator, organizing activities and formation for both middle school and high school teens. Summer activities are announced through the parish bulletin and website. A youth room is part of the Parish Activity Center built in 1998.
- Middle-school youth activities
- High-school youth activities
- Summer activities program
- Youth room in the Parish Activity Center
Parish Ministries & Service Organizations
A wide array of lay-led ministries gives parishioners many ways to live out their faith — catechizing children, supporting one another, serving the poor, and assisting the parish's day-to-day operations. Outreach includes a St. Vincent de Paul conference and a Homebound Ministry that brings the Eucharist to those who cannot attend Mass.
- Catechist
- Childcare / Nursery
- Financial Committee
- Homebound Ministry
- Ladies Auxiliary
- Knights of Columbus
- Liturgical Ministries
- Mother's Ministry
- Parish Office Support
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Mother's Day Out
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Beyond the regular schedule of Mass, Confession and Adoration, the parish offers the full range of sacraments and pastoral services. Families may request baptisms, weddings, funerals, home blessings, and anointing of the sick, and may schedule Mass intentions. An annulment inquiry process is also available.
- Baptism
- Marriage / Weddings
- Funerals
- Anointing of the Sick
- First Communion & Confirmation (through Faith Formation)
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Sat 4:00 PM and Wed 6:00–7:00 PM
- Home Blessings
- Annulment inquiry
- Mass intentions
- Prayer requests
Getting Involved & Practical Information
The parish website's 'How do I?' menu lists more than a dozen practical pathways into parish life — from registering as a parishioner, enrolling a child in faith formation classes, requesting a Mass intention, or scheduling a room in the Parish Activity Center, to donating online or with envelopes. A Ministry Scheduler and Online Giving portal are linked from the home page, along with the current bulletin and Safe Environment information.
- Parish registration available via the website
- Online Giving and envelope giving
- Ministry Scheduler (online)
- Bulletin and Safe Environment links
- Schedule a room in the Parish Activity Center
- Parish email newsletter subscription
- Submit bulletin announcements / events
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father F. Meis1952–
First resident pastor of Saint John Nepomuk; inspired the opening of the parish school; groundbreaking Oct. 13, 1952.
- Father James Ross1956–
Pastorate saw the school's first eighth-grade graduating class of five students.
- Rev. John Metzinger
Current pastor; signs the school handbook letter to families.