St. John the Baptist Catholic Church stands at Ninth and South Littler in Edmond, Oklahoma, a town just north of Oklahoma City. Visitors arrive at a sanctuary that seats more than 1,250 people, but the parish's deepest claim is older than the bricks: the original one-room church with a bell tower, finished on June 24, 1889, the feast of St. John the Baptist, was the first church of any denomination built in Oklahoma after the famous Land Run of 1889.
Oklahoma's First Church: A History Since 1889
The story of St. John the Baptist begins with President Benjamin Harrison's designation of April 22, 1889, as the day of the Homestead Run, opening three million acres of western land for settlement. Although Catholic and Protestant congregations existed in Indian Territory before that date, St. John the Baptist was the first parish of any denomination to build a church after the Run, an accomplishment the parish still points to as its founding identity.
Fr. Scallan offered the first Mass in 1889 for a Catholic community of just four families. The original building, a one-room wooden church with a bell tower and capacity for 150, sat at First and Boulevard. By 1900, a larger church replaced it on the same site; the old building was sold, moved to the business district, and pressed into service as a barbershop.
Early pastors shaped the growing congregation. Fr. Pouey purchased the first rectory in 1908. Fr. Dannis served from 1909 to 1924 and directed many improvements, including the installation of electric lights and natural gas. A 1936 fire destroyed the belfry and roof, requiring a complete renovation.
The parish moved to its present campus at Ninth and South Littler in 1955, the centennial year of the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The new site included an old house that served as the rectory, a converted feed store that served as a parish hall, and a new church building. In 1973, the Diocese of Oklahoma was split, and St. John's became part of the new Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, the regional affiliation it still holds today.
Growth shaped the physical plant over the following decades. The parish hall was replaced by the Annex, which is now part of the Learning Center. A new rectory was completed in 1973, followed by a larger church finished in 1977. A bigger church was dedicated in 1982, and a 20,000-square-foot, two-story Learning Center was completed in 1986. In 1990, under Fr. John Petuskey, the Learning Center became home to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School. Archbishop Eusebius Beltran dedicated the 28,750-square-foot Parish Center on the west side of the church in June 1994, housing a large kitchen, commons area, child care facility, meeting space, and offices for clergy and staff.
The most recent major expansion, completed in 2006 under Fr. John Metzinger, brought the church to its current capacity of more than 1,250. The Rev. John A. Petuskey Great Hall, where many parish events are held, is named for the pastor who welcomed the school onto the campus. Today, additional renovations are underway under Msgr. William Novak, V.G., the current pastor, to accommodate continued growth.
Mass Times and What to Expect on Sunday
The weekend Mass schedule offers five options. Saturday Vigil Mass is celebrated at 4:30 PM. Sunday Masses are celebrated at 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 5:30 PM. The 9:30 AM Mass is livestreamed on YouTube, and childcare is available at both the 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM Sunday Masses.
Weekday Masses follow a steady rhythm: Monday through Saturday at 7:30 AM, Wednesday at 11:30 AM, and Friday at 5:30 PM. The Rosary is prayed in the Sanctuary at 7:00 AM on weekdays and at 11:00 AM before the 11:30 AM Sunday Mass.
The Sunday 11:30 AM Mass is celebrated in English, ad orientem (meaning the priest faces the same direction as the congregation toward the east), and uses sacramental Holy Incense. Incense is also used at the 9:30 AM Mass. While the sanctuary is ventilated, the parish asks those with sensitivities to choose seats away from the altar.
The Mass itself follows the standard structure of the Catholic Liturgy: Penitential Rite, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and Concluding Rite. The recorded homily from the 9:30 AM Mass is posted each week for parishioners who want to revisit a particular reflection.
Confession and a Chapel Open Around the Clock
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard in the Adoration Chapel and Daily Mass Chapel. Regular weekly times are Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, Friday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Confession is also available by appointment through the Parish Office.
In keeping with the parish's strong devotional life, St. John the Baptist maintains Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, except during Masses. Everyone is welcome; an access code is required after hours. Parishioners can sign up for a regular weekly hour or substitute as needed, and the chapel is staffed around the clock by a rotating roster of adorers committed to ensuring Christ in the Eucharist is never left alone. Coordinator Janet Barresi oversees the schedule.
Other regular devotions fill out the weekly rhythm. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed every day at 3:00 PM in the main church. The Flame of Love Rosary meets every Saturday morning at 11:00 AM in the Daily Mass Chapel.
The Seven Sisters Apostolate is a smaller devotion with a focused intention: ensuring one Holy Hour of prayer is offered each day of the week for the three priests of the parish, Msgr. Novak, Fr. Jones, and Fr. Manti. Seven women each take one day, covering the full week in prayer for the pastor's deeper conformity to Christ.
The Seven Sacraments at the Heart of Parish Life
St. John the Baptist walks with parishioners through every sacramental milestone.
Baptism is celebrated for infants whose parents are registered parishioners, attend Mass regularly, and have completed baptism preparation. Preparation is offered either through an in-person class held on Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM to noon (with a boxed lunch) or through a video series on FORMED.org using the search term "Reborn." Two godparents are strongly encouraged, with at least one practicing Catholic who has received Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are typically received in second grade. Students meet weekly through parish Faith Formation classes on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings, or through the curriculum at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, and complete two required retreats during the preparation year: a First Reconciliation Retreat in the fall and a First Holy Communion Retreat in January.
Confirmation is offered beginning in sixth grade and continuing through high school. Students in 6th through 12th grade meet weekly for Faith Formation and follow the Confirmation guidelines of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The Confirmation Mass is celebrated each winter, with candidates choosing a saint's name and sponsor to walk with them through preparation.
Holy Matrimony at St. John's is scheduled at least six months in advance, ideally nine to twelve months before the date. At least one member of the engaged couple must be a registered and active member of the parish. All couples participate in a Marriage Prep Program and work with the parish wedding coordinator, Bree Edmonds, who assists with the marriage liturgy and rehearsal.
Anointing of the Sick is offered to those who are ill, elderly, or about to undergo a serious operation, and is encouraged for the homebound, those facing surgery, and individuals near the time of death. The sacrament can be scheduled through the Parish Office during regular hours; an after-hours pastoral emergency line reaches a priest at any time.
Funerals are coordinated with a local funeral home, which contacts the church to schedule the Funeral Mass. The priests and staff walk alongside families throughout the planning process, and the Funeral Dinners ministry provides a meal at the church or in the home afterward as a way of comforting and supporting grieving families of deceased parishioners.
Becoming Catholic: OCIA
The parish's OCIA program (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formerly called RCIA) is a year-long journey that typically starts in August and meets weekly through Easter. Sessions are held on Tuesday evenings with childcare available and include presentations by priests and deacons, table facilitators, and weekly Sunday "Break Open the Word" gatherings to discuss Scripture. Spouses are welcome, and those who are already Catholic but missing sacraments can also be brought into full communion through OCIA. The team walking with inquirers includes Erin Snow, Lynda Hearn, and the parish clergy.
Children in third grade or older who have not been baptized or received First Communion follow a parallel OCIA for Children program designed for their age and understanding, with parents serving as the primary formators in the faith.
The parish encourages visitors who are simply curious: "Worried? Skeptical? Interested? Whatever you're feeling is okay. Come and see!" Those who decide not to continue are free to stop attending at any time.
Children's Ministry and the Nest
Faith Formation for children from PreK4 through fifth grade meets on Sunday mornings from 10:45 AM to noon or Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 PM. The program runs alongside the school year, with start dates in early September. First Reconciliation is typically received in December of the preparation year, and First Holy Communion the following spring.
The Nest Children's Day Out Program is a part-time program for two- and three-year-olds that runs from mid-August through late May. Two classes, Hummingbirds and Bluebirds, meet from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Hummingbirds (two-year-olds by September 1) may attend two or four days a week, and Bluebirds (potty-trained three-year-olds by September 1) attend two days a week, with a maximum of fourteen students per class and two teachers assigned to each. Snacks and supplies are included in the monthly tuition, and children bring a lunch from home. Tuition is paid through the FACTS Management System. The mission is to help children develop their Catholic faith in a safe, loving environment through music, story time, life skills, and exploration.
Eva Nagykaldi directs the Nest and the childcare program. Marian Clevenger, Zita Mock, and Sara Metzger serve as teachers.
Youth Ministry: Middle School and High School
Youth Ministry at St. John's is built around two distinct gatherings for each age group.
For high school students in grades 9 through 12, Youth Group meets on Sunday evenings in the Youth Room from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, following the 5:30 PM Mass, with bi-weekly small groups, talks, service projects, and time for food and friendship. Faith Formation meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM for deeper study of the Catechism, Scripture, Catholic social teaching, and prayer.
For middle school students in grades 6 through 8, Youth Group meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, and Faith Formation meets Sunday mornings from 10:45 AM to noon. Confirmation preparation is integrated into the sixth-grade Faith Formation year, and students in seventh and eighth grades continue meeting together as one cohort.
The Youth Ministry is led by Chloe Cunningham, with separate calendars for middle school and high school published each year. The ministry maintains an Instagram presence, @stjohnthebaptist_youth, for ongoing communication with families.
Broncho Catholic at the University of Central Oklahoma
St. John's partners with the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the University of Central Oklahoma to staff Broncho Catholic, a Catholic student center serving UCO students in Edmond. The center is staffed by Meredith White, who serves as Campus Minister and coordinates young adult ministry across the parish. Broncho Catholic hosts socials, athletic events, and opportunities for spiritual growth throughout the academic year, including the annual Broncho Bash fundraiser each November and dinners with visiting priests like Fr. Joe Uhen. The Young Adult Ministry welcomes parishioners ages 18 to 35.
Adult Formation: Men, Women, Moms, and Parents
The parish offers a rich menu of adult formation that gathers at different times throughout the week.
Men of St. John's meets Thursday mornings from 6:30 to 7:25 AM in the Great Hall during the school year. Each session has an independent topic, and coffee and breakfast are provided. The parish encourages men across the diocese to attend the Oklahoma Catholic Men's Conference each March, coordinated locally by Greg Iseman.
Women of St. John's hosts a Women's Bible Study on Monday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30 AM in the Commons and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 PM during the school year. The study encourages and strengthens women of faith through Scripture and the traditions of the Catholic Church. The parish also encourages women to attend the annual Oklahoma Catholic Women's Conference in January.
Moms of St. John's and Parents of St. John's are two additional parish communities for parents at every stage of family life, gathering for fellowship, formation, and mutual support.
Our Lady of Fatima Spanish Prayer Group gathers every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to noon during the school year in the Fr. Larkin room at the Parish Center. The group prays the Holy Rosary, reads the Bible, and offers prayers for families, with childcare available for children of those attending. The group is coordinated by Mariana Hernandez and welcomes Spanish-speaking parishioners.
Visitation Groups are small gatherings of eight to ten people who meet weekly in someone's home to walk the faith together in formation and encouragement. The model is taken from the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, an intentional, casual way to invite others into a deeper walk with Christ.
Other adult offerings include Catholicism 101, Alpha, ACTS Retreats, Retreat in Daily Life, Unbound, and Spiritual Direction. Spiritual direction is offered one-on-one with trained directors from the parish, with sessions typically held monthly for an hour. The parish also maintains Raphael House, a building across from the playground that accommodates a counselor, several spiritual directors, and group sessions.
Music and Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry, under Director Danny Jack, supports the assembly in prayer through choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists. The St. John's Choir meets on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM and provides music for the weekend Mass of each member's choice, with extra preparation for Christmas Eve, Holy Week, and Easter. Reading music is not required; the ability to sing on pitch, blend with the group, and convey a sense of prayer is the only expectation. A Youth Choir of high school students and young adults sings at the Sunday evening Mass, with rehearsals on Sundays at 4:00 PM.
Liturgical ministries are open to all adults and older teens. Altar Servers must be in fifth grade or higher and complete two initial training sessions before serving at the altar, with Deacons Zsolt Nagykaldi and Ann Sorrels coordinating the program. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion serve one to two Masses per month on average, with a three-year appointment by the Archbishop. Greeters provide welcoming faces at every weekend Mass and serve coffee and donuts afterward. Lectors proclaim the readings, with training taking about two hours. Mass Coordinators ensure all liturgical ministers are in place before each Mass begins. Sacristans prepare the church for Mass, baptisms, and funerals. Ushers greet, seat, take up the collection, and help maintain good order at Communion. Linen Upkeep volunteers process the altar linens each week.
The Family Chalice Ministry is a long-standing tradition: at each of the five weekend Masses, a family or individual steps forward to receive a decommissioned, consecrated chalice to take home. They pray throughout the week for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life, then return the chalice before their next regularly attended Mass. The family scheduled to receive the chalice also serves as gift bearers for that Mass.
Outreach: Samaritan House, Project Gabriel, Peru, and Beyond
St. John's reaches well beyond its own walls into the surrounding community and around the world.
Samaritan House, located a few blocks from the church at 42B E. 9th Street, is the parish's primary outreach to neighbors in the church boundary area who are facing emergency financial or food needs. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to noon. Volunteers assist clients in the food pantry, sort donations, and help process applications for rent and utility assistance, with payment made directly to utility companies and landlords. Food assistance includes canned goods, pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, bread, meat, eggs, milk, available produce, and toiletries. The ministry is supported by Panera Bread, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Crest Foods, and parish volunteers. Volunteers commit to one year of service on a specific weekday. Coordinator Jesus Medina oversees the daily operations.
Project Gabriel offers parish-based pregnancy intervention by assisting mothers in distress materially, emotionally, and spiritually, meeting them where they are and walking with them through their pregnancies and beyond. Volunteers provide diapers, wipes, infant and toddler clothing, educational assistance, and limited monetary help with bills and transportation. A minimum commitment of one year is expected, with monthly meetings and office hours required. Project Gabriel's office is located at 114 East 10th Street and is coordinated by Sarah Lepak.
Peru Ministry sustains a long-standing relationship with the parish of Santísimo Sacramento in Piura, Peru. Parishioners support the mission through prayer, translation of letters, organizing donated goods at the Peru House or warehouse, joining Mission Teams, recruiting colleagues, supporting fundraisers, and donating gently used clothing, shoes, and household goods through the Family to Family Program. Kathy Hatch and Cheryl Pierce coordinate the ministry locally.
Prison Ministry brings the Gospel to men, women, and teens at the Oklahoma County Jail. The men's team visits male inmates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the women's team visits female inmates on Thursdays, with visits beginning at 8:45 AM and lasting four to six hours. Visiting priests make the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist available to practicing Catholic inmates. Deacon Roy Forsythe leads the ministry.
The Giving Tree collects and distributes hundreds of Christmas gifts for less fortunate children and families in the area during Advent, with volunteer slots as short as thirty minutes after Mass and chairpersons meeting from August through October.
Thanksgiving Dinners is an ecumenical dinner served on Thanksgiving Day by several Edmond churches, providing a sit-down meal at UCO and delivered meals to the homebound. Volunteers are needed to cook, serve, and clean up from September through the holiday.
St. Theresa's Quilt Guild creates lap quilts for hospital stays and other parish needs, meeting the second Tuesday of the month from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM in the Council Room. No quilting experience is required, and refreshments and fellowship round out the morning.
The Knights of Columbus Council #6477 support the parish through fundraising for the Samaritan House, Project Gabriel, Center of Family Love, Peru Mission, and Prison Ministry, alongside a monthly pancake breakfast, the Lenten Fish Fry, support for the youth group, and service at the town Fourth of July parade. Harold Teague serves as Grand Knight.
Homebound Communion brings the Eucharist to parishioners who are sick, in nursing homes, or homebound. Homebound ministers are practicing Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion assigned by the parish. Communion is usually brought weekly at a regularly scheduled time. Kay Sommer coordinates the ministry.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School
Adjacent to the parish campus, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School offers PreK4 through eighth-grade education in a Catholic environment. The school shares the parish's 1990 Learning Center building and underwent a 2007 expansion that added a gymnasium, youth center, science lab, music room, art room, elective classrooms, and a teacher's workroom. The school is led by Principal Jenny Lang, with Assistant Principals Taylor Lothes and Melissa Patton. Parents manage their financial accounts through ParentsWeb and the FACTS tuition system.
The parish itself runs the Nest Children's Day Out, a separate program for two- and three-year-olds that operates as an early bridge into the school community.
Visiting St. John the Baptist
First-time visitors will find four main parking lots: one on the north side of the campus, one across the street from the church on the west side, and two on the south side. The main church entrance is on the south side. Handicap-accessible parking is available in both the north and south lots. Parishioners are asked not to park in fire lines or on the grass.
The dress code is relaxed: in summer, sandals, shorts, and a shirt are common, though conservative length is requested. Men are asked to remove their hats. Children are welcome at Mass, and the parish keeps a cry room at the back of the church with large windows and a sound system so parents can still hear and participate. Childcare for children from birth through kindergarten is available at the 9:30 and 11:30 AM Sunday Masses on the east side of the Great Hall in the Parish Center, with a capacity of twenty children; doors close once capacity is reached. First-grade children and older attend Mass with their families.
Visitors are not expected to put anything in the collection basket. Communion is open to practicing Catholics in a state of grace; those not receiving are invited to come forward with arms crossed over their chests for a special blessing. Most visitors simply follow the lead of parishioners for the postures and responses of the Mass.
The Parish Office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with no closure for lunch. The Parish Office is located on the second floor of the Parish Center, accessible from the West parking lot at Ninth and Littler. The office can be reached at (405) 340-0691 or parish_office@stjohn-catholic.org.
The physical address is 900 S. Littler Avenue, Edmond, OK 73034. The mailing address is PO Box 510, Edmond, OK 73083.