About St. John before the Latin Gate · Bartlesville, Oklahoma
St. John Before the Latin Gate is a Roman Catholic parish in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, belonging to the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. The parish was founded in 1906 by Fr. John Van den Hende and the current church building dates to 1961 under Fr. John F. Lynch. St. John serves approximately 620 families with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish, a Perpetual Adoration Marian Chapel, a faith-formation program in both languages, and a long roster of liturgical, family-life and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1906
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist (titled "Before the Latin Gate")
- Rector
- Rev. Leonardo Morales (2025–present)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
Parishioners at St. John encounter a vibrant and growing Catholic community — about 620 families strong — with bilingual Mass in English and Spanish, a Perpetual Adoration Marian Chapel, year-round faith formation for children and adults, RCIA, youth ministry, a Women's Association, Knights of Columbus, multiple choirs, parish rosary and prayer groups, and outreach through family-life and respect-life ministries. The 1961 sanctuary itself is unusual: Gabriel Loire stained glass from Chartres, a Stations-of-the-Cross cycle, the largest crucifix in Oklahoma, and a marble altar carved with the Eucharistic pelican all together make this one of the more distinctive church buildings in the region.
Mass times at St. John before the Latin Gate
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (or by appointment)
- Sunday 12:30 PM – 1:20 PM (Spanish, or by appointment)
Adoration times
- 24-Hour Perpetual Adoration Chapel (Marian Chapel), 715 S. Johnstone Ave.
Parish History & Identity
St. John Before the Latin Gate was founded in 1906 by Fr. John Van den Hende, with the area having been served by Fr. Edward Van Waesberghe since 1901. The dedication name honors St. John the Evangelist and refers to the ancient tradition that he was plunged unharmed into a cauldron of boiling oil at the Latin Gate of Rome. The current church building was constructed in 1961 under Fr. John F. Lynch and seats approximately 650. In 2006 the parish celebrated its Centennial, and today it serves roughly 620 families across English and Spanish-speaking communities.
- Founded 1906 by Fr. John Van den Hende
- Current church built 1961 under Fr. John F. Lynch
- Centennial celebrated in 2006
- Approximately 620 families currently registered
The Church Building
The 1961 sanctuary is built around an extraordinary program of art and craft. The fifteen sanctuary windows were designed by Gabriel Loire and fabricated in Chartres, France: fourteen depict the Stations of the Cross and one over the baptistry depicts the Baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist. The crucifix over the main altar is reportedly the largest in Oklahoma, and the marble main altar is carved with a pelican feeding her young — an ancient symbol of Christ giving his Body and Blood in the Eucharist. The 24-hour Perpetual Adoration Marian Chapel on the southwest corner was painted by Pat Patterson; its walls depict the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.
- 15 Gabriel Loire windows from Chartres, France (14 Stations + Baptism of Jesus)
- Crucifix over the main altar — largest in the State of Oklahoma
- Marble main altar carved with a Eucharistic pelican
- 24-hour Marian Chapel painted by Pat Patterson
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Leonardo Morales (2025–present) and Associate Pastor Rev. Carlos Loaiza. They are assisted by Deacon Dan Pickett and Deacon Charlie (Charles) Moomaw. Lay staff include a Business Manager (Deacon Jerry Rutherford), Religious Education (Carey Auschwitz), Music Director (Ashlee Elmore), Youth Director, Secretary (Janice Hoss), Bulletin Editor (Ritagail Burleson), Hispanic Ministry Coordinator (Everardo Ramirez Aguinaga), and RCIA coordinator (Kim Barbour).
- Pastor: Rev. Leonardo Morales
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Carlos Loaiza
- Deacon Dan Pickett — [email protected]
- Deacon Charlie Moomaw
- Music Director: Ashlee Elmore
- Hispanic Coordinator: Everardo Ramirez Aguinaga
- Religious Education: Carey Auschwitz
- Business Manager: Deacon Jerry Rutherford
- RCIA: Kim Barbour
Mass & Sacraments Schedule
Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 5:00 PM (English Vigil), Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM (English), and Sunday at 1:30 PM (Spanish). Weekday Masses are Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 AM, Wednesday at 5:15 PM, Thursday evening at 7:00 PM (Spanish), and Friday at 9:00 AM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM and Sunday 12:30–1:20 PM (in Spanish) — both also by appointment. Many Masses are livestreamed on the parish Facebook page.
- Sat Vigil 5:00 PM English
- Sun 8:00 AM / 10:30 AM English, 1:30 PM Spanish
- Tue/Thu 7:00 AM, Wed 5:15 PM, Fri 9:00 AM
- Thu 7:00 PM Spanish Mass
- Confessions Sat 4:00–4:45 PM; Sun 12:30–1:20 PM (Spanish)
Liturgical Ministries
The parish maintains a robust set of liturgical ministries with trained, ongoing formation. Children may begin serving at the altar after First Communion, and new lectors receive formation before being scheduled. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) must be confirmed practicing Catholics in good standing.
- Altar Servers (boys and girls after First Communion; coordinator Tracey Brong, 918-336-0333)
- Lectors (English and Spanish)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs)
- Sacristans
- Homebound Ministry (Cathy Jones, 918-440-3720)
Hispanic Ministry
A full Hispanic Ministry under Coordinator Everardo Ramirez Aguinaga runs alongside the English ministry, offering Spanish Mass, formation, devotions, and fellowship. The Spanish Choir rehearses every Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in Conference Room 2 or the church, and the post-Confirmation Hispanic Youth Group (18+) meets Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. A Teenagers Group for those already Confirmed meets Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 PM in the Youth House. Children's catechesis for First Communion and Confirmation is held Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM — two years are required for First Communion, with two additional years optional for Confirmation. Baptism preparation classes are held the first Tuesday of the month from 8:00 to 9:30 PM in the library, and wedding preparation is arranged case by case with either priest.
- Hispanic Coordinator: Everardo Ramirez Aguinaga
- Spanish Choir — Tue 6:00–8:00 PM
- Hispanic Youth Group (18+) — Thu 7:30–9:00 PM
- Teenagers Group — Wed 6:00–8:00 PM in the Youth House
- Children's Religious Ed — Wed at 6:00 PM (2 yrs for First Communion)
- Baptism prep first Tuesday 8:00–9:30 PM in the library
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation is offered for both children and adults — English Religious Education is coordinated by Carey Auschwitz, Spanish catechesis follows the schedule above, and the RCIA process for adult initiation is led by Kim Barbour. Father O'Neill's pastor's letter encourages adult faith-formation classes and a stewardship way of life, supported by a downloadable stewardship handbook and online commitment card.
- Religious Education: Carey Auschwitz
- RCIA: Kim Barbour
- Adult faith formation classes
- Stewardship handbook (online) and commitment card
Prayer Groups & Devotions
St. John supports several lay-led prayer groups for men and women, including a Men's Group and Men's Rosary Group, a Thursday Morning Women's Prayer Group, a Thursday Afternoon Rosary, the Rosarians, and various devotionals scheduled throughout the liturgical year (such as the parish's Advent Penance Rite). The Knights of Columbus and a Women's Association round out the parish's fraternal and devotional life.
- Men's Group
- Men's Rosary Group
- Thursday Afternoon Rosary
- Thursday Morning Women's Prayer Group
- Rosarians
- Knights of Columbus
- Women's Association
Family Life, Respect Life & Outreach
The Family Life / Respect Life ministry coordinates parish efforts to welcome and protect life at every stage, in connection with the Diocese of Tulsa's Family Life Office. The parish hosts a Parish Nursery during events and maintains a broader outreach presence in Bartlesville through the Bartlesville Ministerial Alliance.
- Family Life / Respect Life coordinator
- Parish Nursery
- Connection to Diocese of Tulsa Family Life Office
- Member of the Bartlesville Ministerial Alliance
Contact, Location & Live Mass
The parish office is at 715 S. Johnstone Ave., Bartlesville, OK 74003 — half a block south of the Johnstone Avenue traffic signal off US-60. Phone (918) 336-4353; [email protected]; livestreamed and recorded Masses are available on the parish Facebook page (English Sunday 10:30 AM, Wednesday 5:15 PM, Friday 8:15 AM, Tuesday/Thursday 7 AM; Spanish Sunday 1:30 PM, Thursday 7 PM).
- 715 S. Johnstone Ave., Bartlesville, OK 74003
- Phone: (918) 336-4353
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stjohn-bartlesville.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/StJohnBville (live & recorded Masses)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Leonardo Morales2025–present
Current pastor.
- Rev. John O'Neill2017–2025
Previously appointed Vicar Forane of the Northern region of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma and pastor of St. James, Bartlesville in addition.
- Rev. Michael Pratt2014–2017
- Rev. Festus Maliwa2004–2014
- Rev. Stephen E. Austin1997–2004
- Rev. Gregory Gier1996–1997
- Rev. Joe C. Townsend1995–1996
- Rev. Arthur T. O'Hara1991–1995
- Rev. Bernard Jewitt1985–1991
- Rev. Lee O'Neil1972–1985
- Rev. Daniel Cronin1968–1972
- Rev. Francis E. McGoldrick1965–1968
- Rev. John F. Lynch1947–1965
Built the current 1961 church building.
- Rev. Emil Depreitere1941–1947
- Rev. Hubert A. Van Rechem1925–1941
- Rev. John Van den Hende1906–1925
Founding pastor of St. John.
- Rev. Edward Van Waesberghe1901–1906
Pre-founding pastor serving the area before the parish was formally established.