Parish History

 

Sapulpa first appeared in Catholic records in 1893. The national Catholic Directory also mentions that Father William H. Ketcham, pastor of Muskogee, was making occasional visits to Sapulpa when George Perryman, principal chief of the Creek Nation gave a letter to "Reverend Father W.H. Ketcham, Roman Catholic Missionary to the Creeks and Cherokees, dated April 26, 1894, and says simply, "You are hereby permitted to erect a church building at Sapulpa, Creek Nation, I.T., for the purpose of your religious necessities. "The Muskogee pastor continued to attend to Sapulpa until 1899 when Holy Family parish was established in Tulsa, and Holy Family served Sapulpa.

 

In 1907 a white frame church building was erected on the corner of Elm and Lincoln.  At this time Sapulpa's Sacred Heart Mission was made a parish and a rectory was built later that same year. During this time Fr. Van Eyck was pastor.  In 1922, the old church was replaced with a Jacobean Gothic brick structure and the rectory was constructed later in the same year.  In 1929 Fr. James Rooney arrived in Sapulpa and was pastor to over 400 families until 1941 when Fr. John Lynch was assigned to Sapulpa.   Fr. John Lynch remained in Sapulpa until 1943 when he joined the Armed Services and Fr. Francis Neville came to Sapulpa and in 1947 established a parish school and convent.

 

The following dates are cornerstones in the development and progress of Sacred Heart Church and it's parish following Fr. John Lynch's departure to join the armed forces.

  

 

  • 1943 – 1964    Fr. Francis X. Neville 


  • 1964 – 1965    Fr. Joseph Kolb


  • 1965 – 1972    Fr. Patrick Murtagh


  • 1971   Sacred Heart Catholic School closes 


  • 1972 – 1972    Fr. James Greiner


  • 1973 – 1981    Fr. Thomas K. Melton 


  • 1982      Sacred Heart's 75th Anniversary 


  • 1981 – 1984    Fr. Neal Brogan 


  • 1982     Deacon Noel Hollingshead ordained 


  • 1984 – 1996    Fr. Daniel C. Keohane


  • 1987   Deacon Francis Decker ordained 


  • 1988      Deacon Noel Hollingshead moves to Sand Springs 


  • 1989     Deacon Robert Washko and Deacon Robert Schmidt ordained


  • 1989     The new Church dedicated

 

  • 1991   The Rectory dedication September 22nd


  • 1995      Deacon Bob Schmidt passes away, Deacon Robert Washko moves to Gutherie

 

  • 1996 – 2000    Fr. Jake Males retires


  • 2000 - 2002     Fr. Charles Hewawasam


  • 2001    Deacon Mark Pittman ordained, Our Lady of Lourdes dedicated, Construction of the Stations of the Cross Gardens began

 

  • 2002       Dedication of the Station of the Cross Gardens

 

  • 2002 - 2007     Fr. Stuart Crevcour

 

  • 2007-2014       Fr. Jovita Okonkwo 

 

  • 2014- 2024      Fr. Louis Obirieze


  • 2017    Deacon Vince Greuel ordained - 2021 Reassigned to St. Bernard Parish             


  • 2021   Deacon Greg Stice assigned to our parish


  • 2024     Sancturary remodeled under the direction of Fr. Louis Obirieze.  Dedicated by Bishop Konderla June 29th, 2024.

 

  • 2024-present  Fr. Matthew LaChance



 

Sacred Heart parish has grown during the past 95 years.  From the little "church building" that Missionary Fr. W. H. Ketcham was permitted to build, to Fr. Francis Neville establishing a parish school, and the move to Fr. Daniel C. Keohane's "glorious" new home on 1777 E. Grayson.  Today the parish enjoys Fr. Charles Hewawasam's vision of the serenity of Sacred Heart's beautiful grounds, with Our Lady of Lourdes garden and the Stations of the Cross meditation gardens.

 

Sacred Heart Catholic Church was established the same year Oklahoma became a state. It maintained a vital part of Christianity to Sapulpa and the state of Oklahoma. We thank God for the many priests and religious that have given their guidance, prayers and spiritual leadership to our parish.  In 2007 we celebrated our 100th anniversary.