About St. Joseph · Muskogee, Oklahoma
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a multicultural parish in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in the Diocese of Tulsa. It was created in 1992 when Muskogee's two existing Catholic parishes — the Church of the Assumption and Sacred Heart — merged into a single, combined parish. Today it serves about 560 registered families, including vibrant Hispanic and Vietnamese communities, each with their own Mass schedule. The campus includes a 700-seat sanctuary, a 70-seat Marian Chapel, an Adoration Chapel, a Parish Hall, classrooms, and St. Joseph School (Pre-K through 8th grade).
- Established
- 1992
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Richard Cristler
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a multi-generational, multicultural Catholic home with about 560 registered families in the heart of Muskogee. Worship is offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, with a 700-seat sanctuary, a Marian Chapel, and a 24-hour Adoration Chapel. The parish runs St. Joseph School (Pre-K through 8th), a Catholic Charities Center and Infant Supply Closet on Muskogee's Westside, and ministries for altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ushers — making it a place where families, immigrants and longtime residents can find welcome, formation and service side by side.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
- Saturdays at 4:15 p.m.
- Sundays from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:00 p.m. (Spanish)
- Friday 6:00 p.m. (English)
- Perpetual Adoration — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Adoration Chapel
About St. Joseph Parish
Saint Joseph Catholic Church received its start when permission was granted for the two existing Catholic parishes of Muskogee to unite into one parish. Saint Joseph officially opened its doors in 1992 with Father Herman Foken as the sole pastor, and the first Mass was celebrated in August of that year. The church has a 700-seat sanctuary, a 70-seat chapel, classrooms, a kitchen, a Parish Hall for activities, and a 24-hour Adoration Chapel in the Parish Hall building. The parish has about 560 registered families and is home to vibrant Hispanic and Vietnamese communities, each with its own Mass schedule.
Parish History
The Catholic Faith in Muskogee stretches back to Father William Ketchum in Indian Territory and a 14,000-square-mile parish covering most of eastern Oklahoma. Three Muskogee parishes preceded today's St. Joseph: the Church of the Assumption (1891), Sacred Heart (1921), and St. Augustine (1939), the last of which closed in 1969 as integration brought all of Muskogee's Catholics together.
Predecessor Parishes of Muskogee
Each of the older parishes left a lasting mark on Catholic life in the area.
- Church of the Assumption — founded 1891 in Indian Territory; rebuilt 1911 in the new State of Oklahoma; closed 1992 and sold to Muskogee Head Start.
- Sacred Heart — founded 1921 amid tensions with Bishop Meerschart; new church, rectory and convent by 1950; closed and sold, later becoming Monarch, a recovery residence.
- St. Augustine — established 1939 to serve Muskogee's African-American Catholics in a segregated era; closed 1969; site eventually cleared for Arrowhead Mall.
Formation of St. Joseph (1981–1992)
In 1981, "Catholic Ministries of Muskogee" brought together co-pastors Father Gregory A. Gier and Father Herman Foken, unifying liturgies, education, pastoral councils, youth ministry and service to the poor. In August 1992, the merged parish was renamed St. Joseph and moved into a modern, shared campus with St. Joseph School.
- 1981 — Catholic Ministries of Muskogee unifies parish life under Fathers Gier and Foken.
- 1992 — St. Joseph Parish formally established; first Mass celebrated in August.
- 2004 — Catholic Charities Center and Infant Supply Closet open on Muskogee's Westside.
- 2007 — Parish Hall, offices and additional classrooms added to the campus.
Hispanic and Vietnamese Communities
St. Joseph's multicultural identity has shaped its Mass schedule. In 1976, several dozen Vietnamese refugee families resettled in the Muskogee area and were embraced by the local Catholic community. In the late 1980s, increasing immigration from Mexico led to a monthly bilingual English–Spanish Mass; by the 1990s this had grown to a weekly Spanish Mass with all the sacraments and cultural celebrations. Today the Hispanic community gathers for Mass on Wednesday evening and Sunday noon, while the Vietnamese community celebrates Mass every other weekend on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Clergy & Staff
St. Joseph is currently served by a pastor, an associate pastor and additional clergy from the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. The parish office can be reached at 918-687-1351 for sacramental and ministry questions.
- Rev. Richard Cristler — Pastor ([email protected])
- Father John O'Neill — Associate Pastor
- Father Alessandro Calderoni
- Citlaly Carrillo — parish office contact for altar servers, lectors and Eucharistic ministers ([email protected])
Ministries & Volunteer Roles
Parishioners serve the liturgy and wider community through a variety of lay ministries. Children who have completed fourth grade or older may serve at the altar after training.
- Altar Servers — assist the priest and community at Mass; open to children 4th grade and up after training.
- Lectors — proclaim the Living Word of God during the Liturgy of the Word.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — assist with distributing the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ at all Masses; trained and commissioned every three years by the Office of Divine Worship.
- Ushers — foster welcome and belonging, assist with seating, the collection and the Communion procession.
- Catholic Charities Center and Infant Supply Closet — outreach presence on Muskogee's Westside since 2004.
- Catholic Campus Ministry — serves students at Connors State College.
St. Joseph School
Catholic education in Muskogee has meandered through several schools over the years — Assumption School (1890–1896), Nazareth Institute and Academy for Girls (1896–1932), Sacred Heart Grade School (1921–1968), St. Joseph Preparatory School (1903–1955), and St. Joseph Grade School (1964–present), which absorbed Sacred Heart School in 1968 and was once known as Muskogee Christian Learning Center. Today, St. Joseph School is an integral ministry of St. Joseph Church, serving students of all faiths in Pre-K through 8th Grade, with programs in religion, music, choir, library and physical education.
- PreK-3 and PreK-4 classes
- Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Religion K–8
- PreK–8 Music and Choir
- PreK–8 Physical Education
- Preschool and Kindergarten Aides
- Saint Francis of Assisi Teacher of the Year recognized among the faculty
Visit, Contact & Directions
The parish office is the hub for information on Mass times, sacraments, ministries, school enrollment and pastoral needs. Visitors are warmly welcomed — the parish is used to receiving newcomers from many different backgrounds.
- Address: 321 N. Virginia St., Muskogee, OK 74403 (Mailing: 301 N. Virginia, Muskogee, OK 74403)
- Phone: 918-687-1351
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stjosephok.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/stjosephcatholicchurchmuskogee
- Located 1 block west of York Street (behind Walgreens) and 1 block north of Chandler Road (behind Ogden Insurance Agency).
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Herman Foken1992–1995
Founding pastor of the merged St. Joseph Parish; previously co-pastor of Catholic Ministries of Muskogee with Father Gregory A. Gier from 1981. Glenmary Home Missioner who came to Oklahoma in 1946; founding pastor of parishes in Tahlequah, Sallisaw and Cookson. Served as pastor of the Assumption and Sacred Heart parishes prior to the 1992 merger. Retired in 1995; remained pastor emeritus until his death.
- Father Gregory A. Gier1981–
Co-pastor of 'Catholic Ministries of Muskogee' alongside Father Foken beginning in 1981, setting the stage for the 1992 merger.