About St. Cecilia · Claremore, Oklahoma
St. Cecilia Catholic Church is the only Roman Catholic parish in Rogers County, Oklahoma, located at 1304 North Dorothy Avenue in Claremore. The parish serves almost 450 registered families who come from Claremore and surrounding communities including Catoosa, Verdigris, Inola, Chelsea, Bushyhead, Sequoyah, Oologah, Foyil, and Talala. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma and offers Mass in both English and Spanish, with daily weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday and a weekly Sunday Spanish Mass.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- St. Cecilia
- Rector
- Rev. David Carvajal
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
St. Cecilia is the only Catholic parish serving all of Rogers County, drawing nearly 450 families from Claremore and surrounding towns. It offers the full sacramental life — daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, three weekend Masses (including a Spanish Mass), Saturday confession, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust sacramental preparation program under the Diocese's Restored Order. A wide network of ministries — Knights of Columbus, Women's Club, Music Ministry, Helping Hands, Food Pantry, Mother's Day Out, Feast with Friends Co-op, 55+ Fellowship, Adoration, Prayer Network, Donut Ministry, and OCIA (RCIA) — gives parishioners of every age and life stage a way to live their faith and serve neighbors in Claremore.
Mass times at St. Cecilia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Adoration times
- Every Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Welcome & Parish Overview
St. Cecilia Catholic Church is the only Roman Catholic parish in Rogers County, Oklahoma, and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. Almost 450 registered families make up the parish, drawn from Claremore and the surrounding communities of Catoosa, Verdigris, Inola, Chelsea, Bushyhead, Sequoyah, Oologah, Foyil, and Talala. The parish warmly welcomes visitors for Mass, prayer, or any parish activity, framing itself as a family rooted in northeast Oklahoma and reaching out to every corner of the county.
- Only Roman Catholic parish in Rogers County
- Part of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
- Almost 450 registered families
- Serves Claremore, Catoosa, Verdigris, Inola, Chelsea, Bushyhead, Sequoyah, Oologah, Foyil, Talala and surrounding areas
Parish History
Catholic life in Claremore began in 1911 with the first Mass, and the first church was built under Belgian missionary Father Joseph Van Gastel before being lost to fire. Father Ben Forner built the rock church dedicated to Christ the King (still standing at 328 East Patti Page Boulevard) and Father Edward Phee became the first resident pastor in 1948. Father Frank Warnke oversaw the 1973 church at Dorothy and Falletti, and Bishop Eusebius Beltran dedicated the present sanctuary in 1982. Successive pastors have expanded facilities, paid off mortgages, and shaped today's active parish of nearly 450 families.
- 1911: First Mass celebrated in Claremore
- Pre-1940: Father Joseph Van Gastel (Belgian missionary) builds the first church, later destroyed by fire
- 1940: Father Ben Forner builds the Christ the King rock church on East Patti Page Boulevard; blessed by Bishop Francis C. Kelly
- 1948: Father Edward Phee becomes the first resident pastor
- 1973: New church at Dorothy and Falletti dedicated October 18 by Bishop Bernard J. Ganter
- 1982: Present church and facilities dedicated May 23 by Bishop Eusebius Beltran
- 2005: Living Stones Campaign expansion opens; Religious Education begins January 2006
- 2013: Expansion mortgage satisfied
- 2018: Parking lot, restrooms, lighting, and sound system renovated
Clergy, Deacons & Parish Staff
Father David Carvajal was appointed Pastor of St. Cecilia, Claremore effective July 1, 2025, succeeding Father Sylvanus Amaobi, who was released for full-time U.S. Army military chaplain service. Deacon Michael Hopper, OFS, assists with pastoral ministry. A team of lay staff supports faith formation, music, youth ministry, and parish administration, and the Diocese of Tulsa's parish directory lists contact emails for each role.
- Pastor: Rev. David Carvajal (effective July 1, 2025)
- Past Pastor: Rev. Sylvanus Amaobi, Captain, U.S. Army Chaplain (2015–July 2025)
- Deacon: Michael Hopper, OFS
- Pastoral Minister: Carol Isaacs
- Youth Director: Ashton Hudec
- Religious Education Secretary: Dawn Seat
- Music Director: Virginia Arms
- Parish Secretary: Karen Westwood
- Faith Formation contact: Becky Holder
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Cecilia runs a Family Faith Formation program aligned with the diocesan Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation announced by Bishop David Konderla. The whole family is invited to monthly formation meetings, beginning each September, with parents as the primary spiritual leaders of their children.
- Family Faith Formation begins each September 2025
- Restored Order: Baptism at earliest possible age; First Reconciliation in 2nd grade; Confirmation and First Eucharist together in 3rd grade
- 3rd & 4th graders meet on 2nd Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
- 9th–12th graders meet on 3rd Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
- Family catechesis model with home curriculum and parish family formation nights (dinner provided)
- Faith Formation Office: 918-341-4238
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
OCIA — the parish's name for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — is a team ministry that walks inquirers through Catholic doctrine, Scripture, and the sacraments of initiation at Easter. The team is built around four roles: catechists, Scripture discussion leaders, sponsors, and prayer partners, with weekly sessions between the Sunday morning Masses beginning in September.
- Weekly sessions between Sunday Masses, 9:45 a.m.–11:00 a.m., beginning in September
- Catechists teach Catholic doctrines, traditions, and practices
- Scripture discussion leaders meet with inquirers after Dismissal at the 8:30/8:00 a.m. Mass
- Sponsors accompany and encourage inquirers through the journey
- Prayer Partners from the parish intercede for each inquirer and the OCIA team
- Contacts: Peter & Barbara Hilger, 918-640-8708; Parish Office 918-341-2343
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments instituted by Christ — Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony — through the family-centered Restored Order approach. Marriage preparation requires contacting the pastor at least six months before the wedding, with meetings with a mentor couple from the parish; weddings are reserved for active parishioners. Couples in irregular or civil marriages are invited to pursue convalidation or, where appropriate, a declaration of nullity.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony
- Confirmation and First Eucharist received together in 3rd grade (Restored Order)
- First Reconciliation in 2nd grade
- Marriage: contact pastor 6 months in advance; mentor couple from the parish
- Weddings reserved for active parishioners
- Convalidation available for civil marriages
- Declaration of Nullity (Annulments) available for irregular marriages
Ministries & Groups
Parish life is sustained by a broad directory of ministries spanning service and volunteer work, fellowship, faith education, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowful, burying the dead, praying for the living and dead, and music. The parish website groups these into categories so newcomers can find their fit.
- 55+ Fellowship Group — fellowship & social
- Helping Hands Committee — service, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowful
- Music Ministry — music
- Mass Ministries — service & volunteer
- Food Pantry Ministry — feed the hungry
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — praying for the living and dead
- The Prayer Network — prayer support
- Feast with Friends Co-op — educating those in need
- Mother's Day Out — educating those in need
- Women's Club — prayer, service, fellowship, feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, burying the dead
- Donut Ministry — feed the hungry
- Knights of Columbus — service, fellowship, education, feeding the hungry, burying the dead
- Pastoral Care Ministry — service & volunteer
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is woven through several parish groups. The Helping Hands Committee, Food Pantry Ministry, Donut Ministry, and Knights of Columbus feed the hungry and serve those in need throughout Claremore and Rogers County. The parish also hosts Mother's Day Out and the Feast with Friends Co-op, which educate and support local families.
- Saint Cecilia Meals-on-Wheels program (founded under Father Robert Pickett)
- Food Pantry Ministry serving the hungry
- Donut Ministry providing hospitality
- Mother's Day Out program for local families
- Feast with Friends Co-op educational outreach
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond the Mass schedule, St. Cecilia sustains a strong prayer life through weekly Eucharistic Adoration every Friday, the Prayer Network, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ministry, and the practice of praying for the living and the dead through the Adoration, Women's Club, and Knights of Columbus.
- Eucharistic Adoration every Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ministry
- The Prayer Network
- Praying for the Living and the Dead through multiple ministries
Music & Liturgy
Music Ministry supports sung liturgy at weekend and weekday Masses, including the Spanish Mass. The parish website lists the Music Director among its key staff, and the Knights of Columbus and Women's Club often collaborate with Music Ministry for parish celebrations.
- Music Director: Virginia Arms
- Music Ministry supports all weekend and weekday Masses
- Spanish Mass music ministry for the 12:30 p.m. Sunday liturgy
Catholic Campus Ministry — Rogers State University
St. Cecilia hosts the Catholic Campus Ministry for Rogers State University students in Claremore, serving as the spiritual home for college students seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Inquiries can be directed to the parish office.
- Hosts Catholic Campus Ministry for Rogers State University
- Contact: Rev. Sylvanus Amaobi, [email protected] or 918-341-2343
Parish Facilities & Campus
The parish campus sits at the corner of Dorothy and Falletti in Claremore. The 1973 building was later expanded by Bishop Beltran's 1982 dedication into the present sanctuary, with additional classrooms, a kitchen, and a small parish hall; the Living Stones Campaign added a larger gathering space, natural lighting, a new reconciliation room, fresh paint and carpeting, and an expansion that opened in 2005 and was paid off in 2013. Recent capital improvements include a 2016 roof replacement and a 2018 parking lot repaving with restroom, lighting, and sound system upgrades; the parish also owns four nearby houses rented to families as future expansion property.
- Address: 1304 North Dorothy Avenue, Claremore, OK 74017
- Sanctuary, Parish Hall, classrooms, kitchen, parish hall on campus
- Living Stones Campaign expansion opened fall 2005
- Expansion mortgage satisfied in 2013
- 2016: Sanctuary, Parish Hall, and flat roofs replaced
- 2018: Parking lot repaved, restrooms renovated, lighting and sound system upgraded
- Four adjacent houses purchased for future parish expansion
Visit, Contact & Connect
Parishioners and visitors are invited to worship, pray, or join any parish activity. The parish office is reachable by phone, email, or in person, and the parish maintains an active Facebook presence with bulletins, event announcements, and ministry updates.
- Address: 1304 N. Dorothy Ave, Claremore, OK 74017
- Phone: (918) 341-2343
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stceciliaok.org/
- Facebook: St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Claremore, Oklahoma
- Online bulletins posted regularly
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Van Gastel (Belgian missionary)first non-resident pastor (pre-1940)
Built the first church in Claremore for the eight to ten Catholic families; the church was later destroyed by fire.
- Father Ben Forner1940–1948
Second non-resident pastor; oversaw construction of the rock church dedicated to Christ the King, blessed by Bishop Francis C. Kelly in October 1940.
- Father Edward Phee1945–1955
Appointed the first resident pastor of Claremore in 1948.
- Father Francis Wrigley1955–1958
- Father Michael Keaninge1958–1961
- Monsignor Ben Hulschof1961–1964
- Father Frank Warnke1964–1974
Broke ground for a new church at Dorothy and Falletti; it was dedicated October 18, 1973 by Bishop Bernard J. Ganter.
- Father Robert Pickett1974–1978
Parish grew 72%; began the Saint Cecilia Meals-on-Wheels program.
- Father James McGlinchey1978–1979
Administrator of the parish for one year.
- Father Daniel Perlinski1979–1988
Bishop Beltran broke ground for the present church during his tenure; it was dedicated May 23, 1982.
- Father Steven MacAuley1988–1994
Mortgage on the new church satisfied under his leadership.
- Father Tim Daley1994–1997
Parish grew to about 700 families with a large religious education enrollment.
- Father Paul Eichhoff1997–2015
Led the Living Stones Campaign expansion that broke ground October 31, 2004; Religious Education began January 2006; expansion mortgage satisfied in 2013.
- Father Sylvanus Amaobi2015–2025
Replaced sanctuary and flat roofs (2016); repaved parking lot, renovated restrooms, and upgraded lighting and sound system (2018); released for full-time military chaplain service effective July 1, 2025.
- Father David Carvajal2025–present
Appointed Pastor of St. Cecilia, Claremore effective July 1, 2025, moving from Parochial Vicar at St. James / St. John Before the Latin Gate in Bartlesville.