Okeene, Oklahoma

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church is located at 211 South 5th Street, Okeene

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 767 - Okeene, OK 73763

Telephone: (580)-822-3544

Services:

History

The Catholic community in Okeene has a history beginning before 1900. Little information is available about the church prior to 1900 but records show a Rev. Father Beck (first name not known) attended the community in the early 1890’s. From 1897 to 1900 the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Depreitre attended the Catholics of Okeene as a mission of Hennessey. In May, 1900 Bishop Theophile Meerschaert dedicated a crude mission Galled St. Anthony’s. From 1900 to 1904 Father Stillmans (first name not on record), Father Urban de Hasque, Father Bednark and many other assistants from Enid attended the mission.

In 1904, Father Joseph Francis w.as appointed by Bishop Meerschaert as the first resident priest. Prior to 1905 St. Anthony’s Church was located in the north part of town in the vicinity of the Okeene School grounds. In 1905 Father Francis moved the building to the present location of church property in the 200 block of South 5th Street. The rectory was also built around this time. In April, 1905 a violent wind blew the church from its foundation. It was immediately replaced, but not for long. In September of the same year another storm again moved it from its foundations. The building was again repaired for the second time in six months. Two years later in June 1907 the church was again damaged by a tornado.

The building gradually became too small as the congregation continued to grow. In the spring of 1917 Father Francis called a special meeting to make plans for a drive to raise funds for a new church. The committee decided negatively. Nevertheless the first subscription was taken in the fall of 1917. The second subscription in 1919. Plans were drawn in the summer of 1919 by Monnett and Reid, architects from Oklahoma City. The contract was let to Reinhart and Donovan of Oklahoma City on December 5, 1921. The excavation, sand, the hauling of brick and stone were all donated. Actual work commenced on December 20, 1921. On Sunday, March 2, 1922 Father Francis announced that Bishop Meerscahert would lay the cornerstone and administer the sacrament of Confirmation the following Sunday, April 2, 1922.

The church is built in the Romanesque style and has a beautifully decorated main altar. One honors St. Anthony, the patron of the church and the other honors Mary, the Mother of Christ.