About St. Francis Xavier · Sallisaw, Oklahoma
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, the county seat of Sequoyah County in eastern Oklahoma. Perched on a hill where the Ozark foothills meet the Arkansas River Valley, the church sits within the Fort Smith, Arkansas metropolitan area and belongs to the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, whose cathedral is Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa under Bishop David A. Konderla. Founded in 1953 as a humble mission church, St. Francis Xavier has grown into a regional parish center that today also shepherds three mission communities: St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Roland/Muldrow, St. Joseph in Webbers Falls, and St. John the Evangelist in Cookson. The parish is led by Father Jeff Polasek, himself a former parishioner, and is in full communion with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. Jeffrey Polasek
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier is a welcoming Catholic community in eastern Oklahoma where longtime parishioners, newcomers, and returning Catholics find a steady rhythm of worship, formation, and service. The parish offers Sunday and weekday Mass, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), vibrant Religious Education for children and families, Bible studies and prayer groups for adults, fellowship for seniors, and ongoing outreach through Catholic Charities — a ministry born right here at St. Francis Xavier. Whether you are looking to deepen your faith, raise your children in the Catholic tradition, or simply find a parish home, there is a place for you.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every weekend Mass
Parish Overview & Welcome
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church describes itself as a parish seeking to know Christ, worship Him faithfully, and serve neighbors with charity and joy. Whether you are a longtime parishioner, new to the area, visiting for the first time, or returning to the Church, the parish extends a warm welcome. The parish frames itself as serving every age and stage of life — children and families through Religious Education, adults through Bible studies, prayer groups, and ministries, and seniors through fellowship and activities designed with them in mind. Volunteers are welcomed in many areas, from Catholic Charities outreach to visiting the homebound.
- Children & Families: Religious Education program
- Adults: Bible studies, prayer groups, and ministries
- Seniors: Fellowship, support, and activities
- Volunteer opportunities in Catholic Charities outreach and homebound visits
Parish History & Heritage
The story of St. Francis Xavier begins in Indian Territory at the close of the nineteenth century, when missionary priests like Father William H. Ketcham and Father Hubert van Rechem traveled by rail to scattered communities. By 1947, when Veronica Kostka and her family arrived in Sallisaw, no Catholic church existed there; she often hitchhiked more than twenty miles to attend Mass at St. Joseph in Webbers Falls. Her persistence, combined with the support of Father Herman J. Foken and Bishop Eugene J. McGuinness, brought the Catholic Extension Society-financed mission church into being in 1953. A relic of St. Francis Xavier was sealed in the altar stone, and the parish grew steadily — becoming independent in 1969, building a regional complex in 1984, and eventually constructing the present church building under the long pastorate of Father Desmond Okpogba.
- 1953: Mission dedicated under the title of St. Francis Xavier
- 1969: Becomes an independent parish and regional mission center
- 1981: New mission established at Roland during Father Koesterer's pastorate
- 1984: Larger complex dedicated by Bishop Eusebius J. Beltran
- 2003: Fiftieth anniversary of founding celebrated
- 2016: Designated a Jubilee Church for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
Founding Figures
Three people in particular shaped the founding generation. Veronica Kostka's persistence brought the mission from idea to reality; Matt Oberste handled finances and correspondence as the principal local contact; and Alex Denton, using his real-estate knowledge and local relationships, secured the lot on Highway 64 and Dogwood despite resistance from several property owners. Father Foken later wrote with gratitude about Veronica Kostka's role, and parish memory rightly remembers her as the woman whose determination helped bring the Catholic Church to Sallisaw.
- Veronica Kostka — driving force behind the mission's founding
- Matt Oberste — local contact, handled finances and correspondence
- Alex Denton — realtor and civic leader who secured the church lot
- Buck Cullum — sold the land despite pressure not to
Parish Staff
The current staff team is led by Father Jeff Polasek, who serves as pastor and oversees St. Francis Xavier along with three mission communities. The parish also maintains an education director, music director, custodian, and office manager, supported by a strong corps of volunteers.
- Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey Polasek
- Religious Education Director: Erin Milteer
- Music Director: Nick Burrell
- Custodian: Luz Martinez
- Office Manager: Robert Mercer
Diocese & Universal Church
St. Francis Xavier is a parish in full communion with the Holy See in Vatican City, under the spiritual care of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. It belongs to the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, whose cathedral is Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa, under the pastoral leadership of Bishop David A. Konderla. The parish participates fully in the mission and guidance of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
- Bishop: David A. Konderla
- Cathedral: Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa
- Diocesan Child & Youth Protection: Donna Eurich (918.307.4919)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education at St. Francis Xavier nurtures young hearts in the Catholic faith through a vibrant parish program under Education Director Erin Milteer. The parish uses the VIRTUS-aligned 'Empowering God's Children' curriculum, providing two age-appropriate lessons per year for each grade level (K–12) covering body safety, safe and unsafe touch, and identifying trusted adults. Parents are notified in advance and may opt their children out of specific sessions with alternative resources provided for home instruction.
- Religious Education for children and families
- Two age-appropriate lessons per year for grades K–12
- Parental orientation and opt-out options provided
- Aligned with diocesan Safe Environment standards
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly known as RCIA, is a learning and loving process that, through conversion of the heart, brings candidates to Jesus Christ. It helps adults grow in their relationship with God, become familiar with Catholic teachings and practices, get acquainted with parishioners, and get involved in ministry. The process moves through four periods — Inquiry or Precatechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy — and can take from several months to a couple of years to complete, culminating in full, conscious, and active participation in the Eucharist and the life of the Catholic faith community.
- Four periods: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, Mystagogy
- Open to adults exploring the Catholic faith
- Goal: full communion with the Catholic Church
Reach More — Evangelization Training
St. Francis Xavier offers Reach More™ Mission Training, a twelve-week program that provides Catholics with practical tools, real-world wisdom, and rhythms of prayer and community to help them grow in confidence to share their faith in natural, relational ways. The parish notes that every year, thousands of people are transformed into happier, more effective Catholics, friends, spouses, parents, co-workers, and neighbors through this approach.
- Twelve-week formation
- Practical tools for sharing faith
- Rhythms of prayer and community
Catholic Charities of Sallisaw
The parish's signature outreach ministry, Catholic Charities of Sallisaw, was born at St. Francis Xavier itself. In the 1970s Virginia Lou "Ginger" Woolley, moved by the needs of poor families in the area, began the Catholic Helping Center with donations of food and clothing, supported by Father Lawrence Courtwright and volunteers. Initially operating out of the parish mobile home, the work was carried forward by Sister Marie Grellinger, Barbara Huff, Bill Lane, Al Bratulich, and many others. In 1990 the ministry formally became Catholic Charities and moved to its present site at Adams and West Denton Streets, where it continues to serve the wider community.
- Origins: Catholic Helping Center, founded in the 1970s
- Founders: Virginia Lou 'Ginger' Woolley with Father Lawrence Courtwright
- Formal incorporation as Catholic Charities: 1990
- Current site: Adams and West Denton Streets, Sallisaw
Music & Liturgical Life
Music has been a quietly important part of the parish's identity. The original 1953 church had little room for a choir, so music was necessarily simple. The 1984 building offered more space, and over time a more stable music ministry developed. Mary Hight played a major role in organizing the choir beginning in the late 1980s, and Nick Burrell continues that work today as Music Director and accompanist — a sign that as the parish grew more secure, its liturgical life became fuller and more beautiful.
- Mary Hight — organized the choir beginning in the late 1980s
- Nick Burrell — current Music Director and accompanist
Safe Environment & Child Protection
St. Francis Xavier and its mission churches are committed to full compliance with all diocesan and national child protection requirements. The local Safe Environment Coordinator ensures comprehensive screening (criminal background and reference checks, renewed every five years), mandatory VIRTUS 'Protecting God's Children' training for all clergy, staff, and volunteers, two-adult supervision in all youth activities, age-appropriate 'Empowering God's Children' lessons, and annual audits submitted to the Diocese. Donna Eurich serves as Risk Manager and Director of Child & Youth Protection for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.
- Comprehensive background checks renewed every five years
- VIRTUS 'Protecting God's Children' adult training
- 'Empowering God's Children' curriculum for K–12
- Two-adult supervision standard for all activities
- Diocesan Contact: Donna Eurich, 918.307.4919 / Confidential Hotline: 918.307.4970
Mission Churches of the Parish
Father Jeff Polasek shepherds St. Francis Xavier along with three neighboring Catholic communities across eastern Oklahoma, which together make up the parish's regional mission territory.
- St. Kateri Tekakwitha — 110841 S. 4760 Road, Muldrow, OK 74948 (mailing PO Box 17)
- St. Joseph — 103 Smith St., Webbers Falls, OK 74470 (mailing PO Box 53)
- St. John the Evangelist — 32136 Highway 82, Cookson, OK 74427 (mailing PO Box 4)
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the central office at St. Francis Xavier during regular office hours, by phone, or by text on the parish's 24/7 number. The parish also publishes bulletins with the latest news and announcements.
- Address: 2110 N. Dogwood Street, Sallisaw, OK 74955-1831
- Office Phone: (918) 775-6217
- Office Email: [email protected]
- 24/7 Text Line: (918) 410-9119
- Pastor Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Herman J. Foken1953
Organized the mission and celebrated the first Mass in the new building
- J. Warren Kerns1950s
- Richard Beckman1957–1960
- Martin E. Reid1960–1962
- Joseph McLaughlin1962–1963
- Ward J. Pankratz1963–1968
- Don Smith1968–1974
Helped make the parish independent in 1969
- Lawrence Courtwright1974–1979
Supported the founding of the Catholic Helping Center
- Neal Brogan1979–1981
- David Koesterer1981–1982
Established the new mission at Roland
- Christopher Daigle1982–1983
- Gerald Coleman1983–1987
Built the 1984 church complex
- Steve Austin1987–
- Michael Rooney–1995
- Jeffrey Polasek1995–2005
First pastorate; grew up at St. Francis Xavier
- Desmond Okpogba2005–2018
Led the long campaign for the present church
- Lawrence Nwachukwu2018–2024
- Jeffrey Polasek2024–
Returned as pastor