About St. Paul the Apostle · Eufaula, Oklahoma
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (also styled 'Saint Paul Catholic Church') is a small Roman Latin-rite parish in Eufaula, Oklahoma, the only Catholic church in McIntosh County. It serves Catholics in Eufaula and surrounding communities including Checotah, Canadian, Crowder, Indianola, and the Lake Eufaula developments such as Fountainhead and Arrowhead Lodges. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma and is currently pastored by Rev. Kingsley George-Obilonu, who also serves St. Joseph Parish in nearby Krebs. Weekend Mass is celebrated on Sunday at 8:30 AM (English), with an additional Wednesday morning Mass and monthly Eucharistic Adoration.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Kingsley George-Obilonu
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma
Why belong here
St. Paul's is a welcoming, close-knit Catholic community in Eufaula — the only Catholic parish in McIntosh County — that welcomes visitors, those curious about becoming Catholic, returning Catholics, and longtime members alike. It offers Sunday and weekday English Masses, Eucharistic Adoration on the first Wednesday of each month, religious education, the sacraments, and a small parish family that reaches Catholics across Eufaula, Checotah, Canadian, Crowder, Indianola, and the Lake Eufaula area including Fountainhead and Arrowhead Lodges. The parish is staffed with a pastor (also serving St. Joseph in Krebs) and a recently assigned deacon, supported by a parish secretary/music director, director of religious education, and pastoral care minister.
Mass times at St. Paul the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before Mass
- By appointment (call the rectory 918-426-4919)
- Sunday 8:00 AM–8:25 AM (per Discover Mass listing)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 9:30 AM–10:30 AM, first Wednesday of the month
Welcome to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Eufaula, Oklahoma, greets visitors, newcomers, those inquiring about becoming Catholic, returning Catholics, and active members with the same warm welcome. The parish is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma and serves as the only Catholic parish in McIntosh County. The parish's stated mission is to be a place where every Catholic in the Eufaula area — from Eufaula itself to Checotah, Canadian, Crowder, Indianola, and the Lake Eufaula communities — can worship, learn, and belong.
Parish History
Catholic life in Eufaula began with Jesuit missionary Rev. Paul Ponziglione offering outdoor Mass to a crowd of Creek Indians in July 1872, even before the town was formally established. The first Catholic church, the white-frame Church of the Most Precious Blood on Main Street, was dedicated by Bishop Theophile Meerschaert on September 11, 1892, on land donated by Mary Herod. After Lake Eufaula condemned that site, pioneer parishioner C. L. Follansbee donated the Forest Avenue and Sixth Street lot, and the current brick church and recreational hall were completed in time for a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, 1962, with formal dedication by Bishop Victor J. Reed on March 17, 1963. The adjoining education center was dedicated by Bishop Bernard J. Ganter on December 7, 1974.
- Original church (Church of the Most Precious Blood) dedicated Sept. 11, 1892, Main Street
- Current brick church completed 1962; dedicated March 17, 1963
- Education center ('house of color') dedicated December 7, 1974
- Pioneer benefactors: C. H. Tully (1909 land gift), C. L. Follansbee (1962 land and cash gift)
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Religious education has been part of parish life since at least the early 20th century, when Sunday School met at 9 AM on the Sundays the mission priest was not present, with teachers including Miss Maggie Foley, Mrs. Mamie Hayes Barry, and Mrs. Elizabeth Winkleman Huls. Today, faith formation is coordinated by Tandi Efurd, Director of Religious Education, who supports parishioners of all ages in learning and living the Catholic faith. The 1974 education center — dedicated by Bishop Ganter as a 'house of color' — continues to serve the parish's formation needs.
- Religious Education program — Tandi Efurd
- Dedicated Education Center (1974) at Woodland Avenue and 6th Street
Music and Liturgy
Music at St. Paul's is led by parishioner and office manager Larry Boyer, continuing a long tradition of lay musicians serving the small parish. Earlier in the parish's history, Mrs. Ethel Hurt Murray served as organist for many years, a tribute to the dedication of lay liturgical ministers that has long sustained worship in this mission church.
- Music Director: Larry Boyer
- Long-serving organist (historical): Mrs. Ethel Hurt Murray
Pastoral Care and Community Life
Pastoral care is coordinated by Cathy Boyer, ensuring that parishioners who are sick, homebound, or in need are visited and supported. The parish is governed by a Parish Council whose historical membership included chairman Tully O'Reilly, vice-chairman Charles Burns, and members Joe Butenschoen, Dick Willis, and John Breuninger, with ex-officio roles for the pastor (Rev. Donald W. Brooks at the time of the historical record), secretary Margaret Buford, treasurer C. L. Follansbee, and diocesan delegates William and Charles Bufford. Today's parish continues to rely on a small but active council and volunteer community.
- Pastoral Care — Cathy Boyer
- Office Manager — Larry Boyer
- Parish Council — lay leadership team
Mission Parishes Founded from Eufaula
During his tenure as resident pastor (1909–1917), Rev. Michael Lyman founded three mission churches from Eufaula: Holy Family and Creekola in Muskogee County, St. Joseph's at Webbers Falls (still served from Sallisaw), and Sacred Heart at Grayson (serving the Black community of that Okmulgee County town, still served from Okmulgee). Creekola has since closed, but the missionary reach of the Eufaula parish continues today through its linked pastorate with St. Joseph in Krebs and through its service to a wide rural area.
- Holy Family (Muskogee County) — historical
- Creekola (Muskogee County) — now closed
- St. Joseph, Webbers Falls — currently served from Sallisaw
- Sacred Heart, Grayson — currently served from Okmulgee
Visiting and Contact
Visitors and parishioners are welcome to attend any scheduled Mass or adoration time. The parish office can be reached by phone or email for appointment requests, including confession, anointing of the sick, and other pastoral needs. From US-69, the church is reached by taking OK-9 to West Forest Avenue, and is located at the corner of South 6th Street in Eufaula.
- Address: 502 S. 6th Street, Eufaula, OK 74432
- Mailing: PO Box 943, Eufaula, OK 74432
- Phone: (918) 689-7345
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Directions: From US-69, take OK-9 to West Forest Avenue
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Ketchum1892–
First resident organizer of the Eufaula mission from Muskogee; built and dedicated the original Church of the Most Precious Blood on September 11, 1892.
- Rev. Michael Lyman1909–1917
First resident pastor in Eufaula; founded missions at Holy Family, Creekola, St. Joseph's Webbers Falls, and Sacred Heart, Grayson.
- Rev. Columban McInery1917–1920
Resident pastor.
- Rev. Omer Beel1920–1929
Resident pastor.
- Rev. Thomas R. Gorman1924–1926
Last resident pastor before Eufaula reverted to mission status in 1926.
- Rev. Robert (Kropp)1962–
Administrator of the Eufaula Mission from St. John's, McAlester; celebrant of the first Mass in the new church at Midnight Mass, Christmas Eve 1962.
- Rev. Donald W. Brookscirca 1974
Pastor at the time of the 1974 dedication of the education center; styled by the historical account as 'present pastor.'
- Rev. Kingsley George-Obilonu
Current pastor; ordained July 25, 1998; serves St. Paul Eufaula jointly with St. Joseph Parish, Krebs.