About Saint Patrick · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Saint Patrick Catholic Church (Iglesia Católica San Patricio) is a culturally diverse Catholic parish in the northwest side of Oklahoma City, founded on June 10, 1950, at the vision of Bishop Eugene McGuinness and serving today under the pastor Father Joseph H. Arledge within the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Bilingual English/Spanish ministry is central to parish life, with weekend Masses in both languages, a Spanish Mass added in July 2003, and Hispanic devotions like the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta. The present award-winning modern church, dedicated in 1962 and largely built by parishioners, is one of Oklahoma City's most acclaimed mid-century religious buildings and continues to anchor a welcoming community of worship, religious education, Eucharistic Adoration, and parish fellowship.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Father Joseph H. Arledge (Padre José Arledge)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Why belong here
Saint Patrick is a bilingual, multicultural Catholic family in northwest Oklahoma City where Mass is celebrated in both English and Spanish every weekend, Eucharistic Adoration fills the chapel Monday through Friday from morning until evening, and Sacramental prep and ongoing faith formation are offered for children, youth, and adults. Active ministries—from the Totus Tuus Vacation Bible School and the Vagabond Missions Underground high school group to the Spanish Charismatic Prayer Group and the Evangelización Hispana—meet people at every stage of life. With award-winning architecture that has drawn visitors for more than six decades, daily Mass and the St. Patrick Novena, coffee-and-juice fellowship after Sunday Mass, and an active Parish and Finance Council, Saint Patrick is a parish that lives its mission of mercy, service, and faithfulness.
Mass times at Saint Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM (before the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM (before the 6:00 PM Spanish Mass)
- By appointment (Con cita previa)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:55 PM (after the 8:15 AM Daily Mass). The parish invites regular weekly committed adorers, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Rosary at 8:45 AM and Adoration at 9:00 AM on weekday mornings (per the parish calendar).
- Spanish-language Nocturnal Eucharistic Adoration on select Saturdays (e.g. May 2, 2026 schedule shown).
- Healing Mass and Holy Hour in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first Friday of each month (7:00 PM Mass, 8:00 PM Hora Santa).
History of Saint Patrick Catholic Church
Saint Patrick Catholic Church was founded on June 10, 1950 in Northwest Oklahoma City at the vision of Bishop Eugene McGuinness; the first Mass was celebrated by founding pastor Father Michael McNamee in what is now Trinity Gardens. Beginning with 120 families, the parish quickly opened a grade school staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in 1952 and grew to 550 families by 1955. Under Monsignor Kanaly the community designed and built the present modern church, dedicated September 23, 1962, that became known as "The Church that the People Built." Through bilingual growth, Spanish Masses from 2003, and a 75th Anniversary Mass with Archbishop Coakley on June 10, 2025, the parish has continued to witness the diversity of Catholic life in Oklahoma City.
- Founded June 10, 1950; founding pastor Father Michael McNamee
- Parish school opened September 1952, taught by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas
- Second pastor Monsignor Kanaly led planning of the new church by 1955
- Present church dedicated September 23, 1962
- Designed by Robert Lawton Jones (Murray Jones Murray, Tulsa) with engineer Felix Candela
- Built largely by parishioners over more than two years
- Spanish Mass added July 2003, serving more than 300 Hispanic families
- Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta and Parish Carnival
- 75th Anniversary celebrated June 10, 2025 with Archbishop Paul Coakley
Architecture & Design
The mid-century modern sanctuary is a hyperbolic-paraconoid shell often described as a "modern church within a church" — practical, liturgically faithful, and a true work of art. Designed by architect Robert Lawton Jones of Tulsa's Murray Jones Murray and structurally engineered by Felix Candela, the building has been recognized by the Cardinal Lercaro Gold Medal (1962), the Church Architecture Exhibit in Maynooth, Ireland (1963), the National Council of Churches (1963), the Oklahoma City Arts Council (1970), and the Oklahoma Council of Architects (25-Year Award, 1991). It has been featured in Oklahoma Today and The Oklahoman as one of Oklahoma City's most significant religious buildings, and its three long-stemmed bells bear the inscriptions of Mary, St. Joseph, and St. Patrick.
- Modern 'church within a church' design
- Architect Robert Lawton Jones (Murray Jones Murray, Tulsa)
- Structural engineer Felix Candela
- Cardinal Lercaro Gold Medal 1962
- Oklahoma City Arts Council Design Excellence Award 1970
- Oklahoma Council of Architects 25-Year Award for Excellence 1991
- Three bells inscribed Mary, St. Joseph, St. Patrick
Clergy & Staff
Saint Patrick is served by its pastor Father Joseph H. Arledge (Padre José Arledge) together with three deacons — Deacon Duane (Dwayne) Fischer, Deacon Alfonso Lopez, Deacon Dennis Frazier, and Deacon Fernando Marin — and a primarily volunteer parish staff. Lay staff include Gabriela (Gaby) Zamarripa (Parish Office Administrator), Judith Monterroso (Baptism/Sacramental records), María Sustaita (RE Office Assistant), Lucia (Parish Records Coordinator), Monica Briones (Director of Religious Education), Sarah Montgomery (English Music Director), Florence Daugomah, Dennis Winkeler, and Mark Wedge in volunteer parish roles.
- Pastor: Father Joseph H. Arledge — (405) 946-9884 — [email protected]
- Deacon Duane (Dwayne) Fischer (English)
- Deacon Alfonso Lopez
- Deacon Dennis Frazier
- Deacon Fernando Marin — Director of Evangelization, Christian Discipleship Formation & RICA (Adults)
- Gaby Zamarripa — Parish Office Administrator — (405) 947-2275
- Judith Monterroso — Baptisms / Sacramental records — (405) 638-3032
- Monica Briones — Director of Religious Education — (405) 648-4866
- Parish Office: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sacraments
Saint Patrick prepares the faithful for the full sacramental life of the Church. First Communion requires two years of religious education, and Confirmation is offered with two years of preparation for grades 6–11 (sixth graders are confirmed in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City) and a one-year track for 12th-grade candidates. Parents and godparents attend monthly pre-Baptismal classes, and weddings are scheduled at least six months in advance through the parish office.
- Baptism — pre-Baptismal class 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM; register with Judith Monterroso
- First Communion — 2 years of preparation
- Confirmation — 2 years (grades 6–11); 1 year (grade 12)
- Marriage — contact Parish Office (405) 947-2275 at least 6 months prior
- Anointing of the Sick, Quinceañeras, House Blessings, Funeral Masses — schedule through Father Joe via Gaby
Religious Education & Youth
Monica Briones serves as Director of Religious Education, directing children's sacramental and non-sacramental classes in both English and Spanish. The parish also runs the popular Totus Tuus Vacation Bible School for grades 1–12 each summer and partners with Vagabond Missions to host Underground, a free high-school youth group featuring a Wednesday Open Underground (sports and games), a Wednesday Breakout (food and activities), and Sunday Jesus Class (Mass, breakfast, and faith formation).
- Director of Religious Education: Monica Briones — (405) 648-4866
- Totus Tuus Vacation Bible School (summer, grades 1–12, $25)
- Catechist recruitment and training
- UNDERGROUND youth group (Vagabond Missions) — Wednesdays & Sundays
- Contact: Zack Berntsen — (580) 695-6466 — [email protected]
Ministries & Community Life
The parish is bilingual and intentionally multicultural, with ministries serving English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and Heritage families side by side. Active groups include the Spanish-Speaking Women's Group, the Charismatic Prayer Group (Spanish), the Spanish Evangelization ministry, the Funeral Dinner / Bereavement Group, the Parish and Finance Councils, the English choir and music ministry, and grounds and maintenance volunteers. The annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta and the Parish Carnival bring the whole parish together with ethnic food, music, games, and Latin folk dancing.
- Spanish-Speaking Women's Group
- Charismatic Prayer Group (Spanish)
- Spanish Evangelization / Evangelización en Español
- Funeral Dinner / Bereavement Group
- Parish Council and Finance Council
- English Music Ministry (Sarah Montgomery)
- Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta
- Annual Parish Carnival
Visiting & Getting Involved
Saint Patrick invites everyone — of any background, language, or stage of faith — to attend Mass, receive the sacraments, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, and join one of the parish's many ministries. New parishioners can register at the Visitor's Table in the church entrance after weekend Masses and enjoy coffee and juice in the Parish Hall following the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass. The Mission Statement is simple: "Our church seeks to foster a vibrant spiritual community linked by Baptism, celebrating our diversity, openness and commitment to the teachings of Christ in the Catholic tradition through mercy, service and faithfulness."
- Register as a visitor at the Visitor's Table after weekend Masses
- Coffee and juice fellowship after 10:00 AM Sunday Mass
- Mission: mercy, service, faithfulness
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Parish Office: (405) 946-4441 — leave a message for a callback
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Michael McNamee1950 – founding
First parish pastor; celebrated the inaugural Mass on June 10, 1950 in what is now Trinity Gardens (formerly Saint Ann's Home for the Aged), raised funds and broke ground on the parish school in January 1951.
- Monsignor Kanalyby 1955
Succeeded Father McNamee as pastor; shepherded the growing 550-family parish and directed planning and construction of the new modern church.
- Father Joseph H. Arledgepresent
Current pastor; concelebrant and parish leader at the 75th Anniversary Mass on June 10, 2025.