About St. Bartholomew · Fort Worth, Texas
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church (commonly known as 'St. Bart's') is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Fort Worth located at 3601 Altamesa Boulevard in southwest Fort Worth, Texas. The parish serves a diverse community with weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, weekday Masses, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday confessions. It was established in 1969 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in August 2009. Today it is pastored by Rev. Fernando Preciado, with Rev. Karl Schilken serving as Pastor Emeritus, and offers faith formation for children and youth, CCD religious education, young adult ministry, music ministry, and a Saint Vincent de Paul Society chapter among its parish life.
- Established
- 1969
- Patron
- St. Bartholomew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Fernando Preciado
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Why belong here
St. Bartholomew is a long-established, bilingual Catholic parish in southwest Fort Worth that welcomes both English- and Spanish-speaking families into one faith community. It offers a full sacramental life — daily and Sunday Mass in two languages, Saturday confessions, and Friday morning Eucharistic Adoration — along with CCD for children K–8, high school faith formation, adult formation (RCIA) led by Sister Teresa Rodriguez, a music ministry, a Saint Vincent de Paul Society chapter, and young adult and youth ministry. With a pastor emeritus who faithfully served for seven years and a current pastor continuing that bilingual mission, it is a parish that takes seriously both solid Catholic teaching and ministering to the Hispanic community of the diocese.
Mass times at St. Bartholomew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM (per Diocese of Fort Worth Parish Finder)
- Saturday: 3:00–4:00 PM in the Children's Chapel (per Join My Church snapshot)
Adoration times
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (per Diocese of Fort Worth Parish Finder)
- Friday: after the 8:30 AM Mass until 2:00 PM (per Join My Church snapshot)
About St. Bartholomew Parish
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church — affectionately known as 'St. Bart's' — is a diverse, bilingual Catholic parish in southwest Fort Worth serving the Diocese of Fort Worth. Its 'About' page describes the community as gathering 'in faith to celebrate the Sacraments of the Church and to hear God's Word' and as a place where parishioners can 'experience God's love and mercy while also receiving solid Catholic teaching.' A parallel Spanish welcome on the same page invites Hispanic families to come and unite with the parish ('Ven y unete a nuestra parroquia, nos encantaria tenerte aqui!'). The parish is identified on the Diocese of Fort Worth Parish Finder under multiple search spellings — fort worth, saint bart, st bartholomew, etc. — reflecting its long presence in the diocese.
- Parish of the Diocese of Fort Worth
- Bilingual parish: English and Spanish
- Common name: 'St. Bart's' / 'St. Bart'
- 3601 Altamesa Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76133
- Phone: (817) 292-7703; Fax: (817) 292-2568
History of the Parish
St. Bartholomew was established in August 1969, the same month the Diocese of Fort Worth was erected from the Diocese of Dallas–Fort Worth under Bishop John Cassata. By August 2009 the parish was preparing to mark its 40th anniversary, with an anniversary Mass celebrated by then-Bishop Kevin Vann, a potluck dinner and talent show in the St. Bart's parish life center, and Solemn Evening Prayer, as reported by the North Texas Catholic. In July 2016 the diocese appointed Rev. Karl Schilken as the new pastor (effective July 1), concluding his service as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and the parish saw the retirement of its parochial vicar, Rev. Hector Medina. Father Schilken served approximately seven years before retiring in 2024; he was succeeded by Rev. Fernando Preciado and granted the title Pastor Emeritus.
- Founded August 1969 (Diocese of Fort Worth, erected Aug. 9, 1969)
- 40th anniversary celebrated August 22–23, 2009
- Rev. Karl Schilken appointed pastor July 1, 2016
- Rev. Hector Medina (Parochial Vicar) retired May 10, 2016
- Rev. Fernando Preciado installed as current pastor
- Rev. Karl Schilken named Pastor Emeritus
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Bart's is bilingual and runs from kindergarten through high school, with separate tracks for younger children and teens. Children's Religious Education (CCD) for grades K–8 is directed by Bertha Olmos and follows a bilingual calendar; high school faith formation for grades 9–12 is coordinated by Mrs. Pereda. Open registration is held each May, and a $25 per-child fee is collected at registration along with baptismal (or birth) certificates. Adult formation — including RCIA — is led by Sister Teresa Rodriguez, who is also a key liaison to the Hispanic community. The parish emphasizes the importance of forming disciples in both languages and at every life stage.
- CCD (K–8), Director: Bertha Olmos ([email protected])
- High School Formation (9–12), Mrs. Pereda ([email protected])
- Adult Formation / RCIA, Sister Teresa Rodriguez ([email protected])
- Open registration in May; $25 per child
- Bilingual calendar; classes begin in early September
Children's Religious Education (CCD)
The Children's Religious Education program — commonly called CCD — provides religious instruction for children in grades K–8. The parish publishes a bilingual calendar each year and announces the start of CCD on the Sunday after Labor Day weekend (most recently September 7). Families who have not yet registered are urged to contact Bertha Olmos directly. The CCD program runs in parallel with the High School program, and both feed into the reception of First Communion and Confirmation.
- Grades K–8
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Begins early September each year
- $25 per-child registration fee
- Baptismal certificate required at registration
Young Adult and Youth Ministry
St. Bartholomew connects its young adults and teens with the diocesan umbrella of programs rather than running a fully separate young-adult track. The parish website links directly to the Diocese of Fort Worth's Young Adult Ministry — which includes Theology on Tap, retreats, and 'Exalt' (adoration and praise and worship) — as well as to Young Catholic Professionals. For Hispanic youth the parish promotes the diocesan Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (P.J.H.), whose mission is 'to evangelize the Hispanic young person so that they respond to the call to be a disciple of Jesus and thus create and maintain unity amid a multicultural society.' The parish also announces local events such as the High School Men's Retreat (held at neighboring parishes such as St. Francis Cabrini in Granbury) and the St. Andrew's Mass and Breakfast ('Servants of Christ, Fishers of Hope') at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- Diocesan Young Adult Ministry (Theology on Tap, Retreats, Exalt)
- Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (Hispanic Youth Ministry)
- Young Catholic Professionals
- High School Men's Retreat
- St. Andrew's Mass and Breakfast
Liturgy and Music
Liturgical coordination, bulletin editing, and funeral coordination at St. Bart's are handled by Julissa Chubbs, the Assistant to the Pastor and Bilingual Liturgical Coordinator. The Music Ministry is directed by Michael Sawey, who also serves as the parish webmaster. All weekend Masses — including the two English Masses and the two Spanish Masses — are livestreamed, suggesting an active music and tech ministry supporting the bilingual liturgy.
- Liturgical Coordinator: Julissa Chubbs
- Director of Music Ministry / Webmaster: Michael Sawey ([email protected])
- All weekend Masses livestreamed via stbartsfw.org/live-stream
Safe Environment
All parish volunteers — including those serving in CCD, youth ministry, and outreach — must be current with the diocese's Safe Environment training. The parish's Safe Environment Coordinator, Veronica Oviedo, helps volunteers register for classes through Virtus (the national online platform used by the Diocese of Fort Worth) and tracks renewal dates. Information is provided in both English and Spanish on the parish website.
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Veronica Oviedo ([email protected])
- Training via Virtus
- Pre-registration required for in-person classes
- Bilingual information (English and Spanish)
Outreach: Saint Vincent de Paul Society
The parish hosts a local conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Catholic lay organization dedicated to serving those in material or spiritual need through home visits, food assistance, and direct aid. The conference is referenced on the Safe Environment page of the parish website as one of the parish's volunteer ministries requiring Safe Environment clearance.
- Saint Vincent de Paul Society conference on site
- Home visitations and direct aid to those in need
Pastoral Staff and Office
The parish staff is led by the pastor, Rev. Fernando Preciado, and supported by Rev. Karl Schilken as Pastor Emeritus and Dcn. Reyes Tello as deacon. The lay staff includes Julissa Chubbs (Assistant to the Pastor, Liturgical Coordinator, Bulletin Editor, Funeral Coordinator), Bertha Olmos (Director of Religious Education, bilingual), Michael Sawey (Director of Music Ministry and Webmaster), Sister Teresa Rodriguez (Adult Formation), Veronica Oviedo (Safe Environment Coordinator, bilingual), Lupe Vega (Sacramental Registries and Receptionist, bilingual), Lilia Soto (Receptionist, bilingual), and Jennifer Elizalde (Receptionist, bilingual). The business manager is Olivia DeLeon. Most staff share the main parish phone line (817-292-7703).
- Pastor: Rev. Fernando Preciado
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Karl Schilken
- Deacon: Dcn. Reyes Tello
- Business Manager: Olivia DeLeon
- Assistant to the Pastor / Liturgy / Bulletin: Julissa Chubbs ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education: Bertha Olmos ([email protected])
- Director of Music Ministry / Webmaster: Michael Sawey ([email protected])
- Adult Formation: Sister Teresa Rodriguez ([email protected])
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Veronica Oviedo ([email protected])
- Sacramental Registries / Receptionist: Lupe Vega ([email protected])
- Receptionists: Lilia Soto ([email protected]), Jennifer Elizalde ([email protected])
Contact, Location, and Visiting
St. Bartholomew is located at 3601 Altamesa Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76133, in southwest Fort Worth, near Hulen Mall and the South Hulen Street commercial corridor. The main parish phone is (817) 292-7703 and the fax is (817) 292-2568. The parish email is [email protected] and the website is https://stbartsfw.org, which also hosts the live-stream of all weekend Masses. Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the weekend Masses; the parish life center is the hub for faith formation classes, parish dinners, and celebrations.
- Address: 3601 Altamesa Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76133
- Phone: (817) 292-7703
- Fax: (817) 292-2568
- Email: [email protected]
- Website / Live Stream: https://stbartsfw.org and https://stbartsfw.org/live-stream
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Founding pastor (1969)1969
The North Texas Catholic notes St. Bartholomew celebrated its 40th anniversary in August 2009, placing its founding in August 1969 under the newly erected Diocese of Fort Worth (Bishop John Cassata). The name of the founding pastor was not confirmed in sources reviewed.
- Rev. Hector MedinaPrior to 2016
Served as Parochial Vicar of St. Bartholomew; retired effective May 10, 2016 (per North Texas Catholic assignments, July 2016 issue).
- Rev. Karl SchilkenJuly 2016 – July 2024 (approx.)
Appointed Pastor effective July 1, 2016, concluding his term as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia at the Catholic Center. Preached bilingually, celebrated every baptism during his seven-year tenure. Ordained March 29, 1980. Now Pastor Emeritus; in retirement moved to Taos, NM to continue serving Spanish-speaking communities.
- Rev. Fernando Preciado2024 – present
Current pastor, succeeded Fr. Karl Schilken. Listed on the Diocese of Fort Worth Parish Finder and on the parish staff page.
- Fr. John Robert SkeldonPrior pastor (date not confirmed)
Listed as pastor on the third-party Join My Church directory entry (snapshot prior to 2024).