About St. Mary · Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Church of Saint Mary is a large, active Roman Catholic parish in the Brookside neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, part of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. Founded in 1953, it has grown from a small community worshipping in a movie theater into one of the largest parishes in the diocese, with a parish school, preschool, extensive outreach programs, perpetual adoration, and ministries spanning every age and stage of life. Its vision statement — 'Formed in the heart of Mary, we glorify the Lord by inviting all to grow in holiness, cultivating a love of God and our neighbor through faith, education, and service' — captures the parish's Marian identity and its emphasis on formation, fellowship, and service to the Tulsa community.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Stuart Crevcoure
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
The Church of Saint Mary bills itself as 'Tulsa's Most Vibrant Catholic Parish' and offers ministries, events, small groups, and Bible studies for every age and stage of life — children and families, teens, young adults, men, women, and seniors. It runs the parish School of Saint Mary and a preschool, maintains 24-hour adoration in its chapel from Sunday morning through Friday midnight, and operates a charitable Outreach Center that provides food, financial assistance, and prayer to neighbors in need. With a vision rooted in Mary — 'formed in the heart of Mary' — and a stated mission of helping parishioners grow in holiness through faith, education, and service, the parish is well suited for anyone seeking a deeply Catholic community in midtown Tulsa.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
- Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- By appointment (confessionals are next to the chapel)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the parish chapel: Sunday 7:00 a.m. through Friday midnight
- Sign-up available through the parish website (24 Hour Adoration ministry)
Parish Identity & Vision
The Church of Saint Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in the Brookside neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma (Bishop David A. Konderla). The parish's vision statement reads: 'Formed in the heart of Mary, we glorify the Lord by inviting all to grow in holiness, cultivating a love of God and our neighbor through faith, education, and service.' It is one of the larger parishes in the diocese, with a parish school, a preschool, an Outreach Center, and ministries that span every age group.
- Vision: 'Formed in the heart of Mary, we glorify the Lord by inviting all to grow in holiness…'
- Three stated priorities: (1) Seek a deeper relationship with Jesus, (2) Show up for more, (3) Share the Gospel.
- Diocese: Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma; Bishop: Most Rev. David A. Konderla.
Our History
The parish was founded in 1953 in the Brookside area of Tulsa. Father Frederick Beckerle, the founding pastor, celebrated the first Mass on September 6, 1953 in the Brook Theater. Eight pastors have led the parish over more than seventy years, during which the original church, an Activities Center, the current rectory, a new larger church (1985–1986), a preschool, the School of Saint Mary, the Our Lady of Grace parish center, and an Outreach Center have all been added. The parish has grown to close to 2,000 families at various points in its history.
- 1953: Founding pastor Father Frederick Beckerle; first Mass on September 6, 1953 in the Brook Theater.
- 1968: Father (later Monsignor) James Halpine becomes second pastor; parish facilities renovated and Activities Center added.
- 1976–1978: Father Charles Swett builds the current rectory.
- 1978–1988: Father Stephen MacAulay serves a 10-year pastorate; new church completed 1985–1986.
- 1988: Father Paul Eichhoff appointed; old church converted into meeting rooms.
- 1995: Monsignor Dennis Dorney becomes sixth pastor; parish grows to nearly 2,000 families.
- 2011: Father Jack Gleason named pastor; campus expansion begins.
- 2022–present: Father Stuart Crevcoure serves as current pastor.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Father Stuart Crevcoure (Pastor, ext. 103) and Father Vince Fernandez (Associate Pastor, ext. 125), with Monsignor Dennis C. Dorney serving as Pastor Emeritus. Three deacons — Rich Bender, Gary Gamino, and Kevin Maloney — assist at the parish. A large lay staff supports the parish's ministries, school, and finances; key staff include a Business Administrator (Jennifer Wood), Director of Finance & Accounting (Kristen Prato), Parish Secretary (Libby Bahlinger), Communications Director (Lauren Suarez), Music Director (Lyndon Meyer) and Music Associate (Karen Hiller), Contemporary Music (Maddie Breedlove), Director of Development (Meg Cameron), Facility Manager / A/V Technician (Alan Bryan), and Hospitality & Pastoral Care (Sharron Deax Hanisch).
- Pastor: Rev. Stuart Crevcoure (x103)
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Vince Fernandez (x125)
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Msgr. Dennis C. Dorney (x104)
- Deacons: Rich Bender, Gary Gamino, Kevin Maloney
- Principal, School of Saint Mary: Raymond Lewis
- Preschool Director: Suzanne Nelson
- After School Care Director: Eileen Ames
- Director of Outreach: Jackie Fusco; Secretary: Patti Wilson
- Adult Faith Formation: Emily Kamp
- Children's Ministry: Christine Hassink
- Family Ministry: Katie Svejkosky
- Coordinator of Youth Ministry: Dustin Samford
- Young Adults Coordinator: Kelly Steichen
- Wedding Liturgy Assistant: Maureen Goree
- Encore Ministry: Courtney Leonard
Parish School & Preschool
The parish operates a School of Saint Mary (elementary) and a Saint Mary Preschool, sharing the same campus on East 49th Place. The school is led by Principal Raymond Lewis, with Lauren Craft in a school leadership role and Fr. Stuart Crevcoure and Fr. Vince Fernandez serving in pastoral roles. The preschool is led by Director Suzanne Nelson, with Eileen Ames directing after-school care.
- School of Saint Mary — 1365 East 49th Place, Tulsa, OK 74105 — 918-749-9361 — schoolofsaintmary.com
- Saint Mary Preschool — 1347 East 49th Place, Tulsa, OK 74105 — 918-743-4030 — saintmarypreschool.org
- Principal: Raymond Lewis; Assistant Principal also listed.
- Preschool Director: Suzanne Nelson; After School Care Director: Eileen Ames.
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Beyond the sacraments offered at Mass, the parish runs an Emmaus / OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program for adults interested in becoming Catholic or learning about the faith, with Emily Kamp as the Adult Faith Formation Coordinator. Baptism is scheduled through the parish office at least four weeks in advance; adult baptism goes through OCIA. Marriage preparation begins with a meeting with Fr. Stuart or Fr. Vince at least six months before the wedding and includes a diocesan preparation program.
- Baptism: arrange with parish office at least four weeks in advance; adult baptism via OCIA (contact Emily Kamp).
- Marriage: contact Fr. Stuart Crevcoure or Fr. Vince Fernandez at least six months in advance; engaged couples take a diocesan preparation program.
- Anointing of the Sick offered.
- Emmaus / OCIA: process for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church or learning about the faith.
- Children's Ministry: Christine Hassink.
- Adult Faith Formation: Emily Kamp.
Youth, Family & Young Adult Ministries
The parish has dedicated ministry groupings for children, middle- and high-school teens, young adults, families, men, and women. The Middle School Youth Group (6th–8th grade) meets Sundays from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The High School Youth Group (9th–12th grade) meets Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Both programs aim to walk teens closer to Christ through prayer, fellowship, food, and adult mentorship. A separate Family Ministry, a Young Adults ministry (Coordinator: Kelly Steichen), and dedicated Men's and Women's ministries round out the parish's life-stage offerings.
- Middle School Youth Group: Sundays, 11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m., St. Maria Goretti Room.
- High School Youth Group: Wednesdays, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
- Family Ministry: Katie Svejkosky.
- Young Adults: Kelly Steichen, Coordinator.
- Children's Ministry: Christine Hassink.
- Men's Ministry and Women's Ministry listed as parish offerings.
Music & Liturgy
The parish supports both a traditional and a contemporary music program for its liturgies. The Music Director (Lyndon Meyer) and Music Associate (Karen Hiller) lead the music ministry, while Maddie Breedlove leads the contemporary music ministry. The Wedding Liturgy Assistant, Maureen Goree, helps couples prepare the music and flow of their wedding liturgies.
- Music Director: Lyndon Meyer (x120).
- Music Associate: Karen Hiller (x121).
- Contemporary Music: Maddie Breedlove (x199).
- Wedding Liturgy Assistant: Maureen Goree (x153).
Outreach Center
The parish's Outreach Center serves Tulsa-area neighbors — especially those living close to the church — by providing food, financial assistance, prayer, and connections with other local charities. The Center is staffed largely by volunteers and is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Director of Outreach Ministry is Jackie Fusco, with Patti Wilson as Secretary. The parish notes that monetary donations go further than food donations because of a 14:1 purchasing ratio with food partners.
- Director of Outreach Ministry: Jackie Fusco (x124).
- Secretary to Director of Outreach: Patti Wilson (x140).
- Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–noon and 1:00–3:00 p.m.
- Services: food, financial assistance, prayer, referrals to other local charities.
- Donations: 14:1 food purchasing ratio — $1 = $14 of food.
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / Emmaus)
Adults interested in becoming Catholic, or who simply want to learn more about the Catholic faith, are invited to the parish's Emmaus program, the local name for OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). The parish encourages interested adults to meet with the team to discuss the journey and how to get started. Adult Faith Formation Coordinator Emily Kamp is the contact for those exploring the process.
- Program name: Emmaus (OCIA).
- Contact: Emily Kamp, Adult Faith Formation Coordinator (x132).
- Open to anyone wanting to learn more about the Catholic faith, not only those seeking full initiation.
Join Our Parish
The parish encourages newcomers to register and to explore the many ministries and small groups offered across age groups. Its Join Our Parish page highlights ministries for children and families, middle and high schoolers, young adults, women, men, the music ministry, the Outreach Center, and the 24-hour Adoration chapel, and invites visitors to fill out a form to learn more.
- Ministries highlighted: Children & Family, Middle & High School, Young Adults, Women's, Men's, Music, Outreach Center, 24 Hour Adoration.
- Emmaus / OCIA program for those interested in the Catholic faith.
- Volunteer opportunities available across all ministries.
Contact & Location
The Church of Saint Mary is located in the Brookside neighborhood of midtown Tulsa, with the church, parish school, and preschool all on or near East 49th Place. The parish office can be reached at 918-749-1423, with a separate after-hours sacramental emergency line at 918-749-1266. The parish also maintains a presence on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube under the 'churchofsaintmary' / 'churchofsaintmarytulsa' handles.
- Church address: 1347 East 49th Place, Tulsa, OK 74105.
- Parish office: 918-749-1423.
- After-hours sacramental emergency: 918-749-1266.
- School of Saint Mary: 1365 East 49th Place, 918-749-9361 (schoolofsaintmary.com).
- Saint Mary Preschool: 1347 East 49th Place, 918-743-4030 (saintmarypreschool.org).
- Social: churchofsaintmarytulsa (Instagram), churchofsaintmary (Facebook, YouTube).
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Frederick Beckerle1953–1968
Founding pastor; first Mass celebrated September 6, 1953 in the Brook Theater; first church and school dedicated late 1954.
- Father (later Monsignor) James Halpine1968–1976
Second pastor; oversaw total renovation of parish facilities, addition of Activities Center, and purchase of a rectory at 7327 Sleepy Hollow Drive.
- Father Charles Swett1976–1978
Built the current rectory.
- Father Stephen MacAulay1978–1988
Ten-year pastorate; built a large parish staff; new larger church completed 1985–1986.
- Father Paul Eichhoff1988–1995
Appointed during conversion of the old church into parish meeting rooms and updating of parish offices.
- Monsignor Dennis DorneyDecember 1995–2011
Sixth pastor; parish grew to nearly 2,000 families; later became Pastor Emeritus and remained Vicar General for the Diocese of Tulsa.
- Father Jack Gleason2011–2022
Previously pastor of the Church of the Magdalene; oversaw expansion of the campus including Our Lady of Grace parish center and new Outreach Center.
- Father Stuart Crevcoure2022–present
Current pastor; continues the expansion of campus and ministries begun under Father Gleason.