St. Catherine of Siena Catholic church was established in 1949. Rev. Joseph A. Duffy appointed by Bishop McGuinness to begin the parish of St. Catherine of Siena in September of 1949. The church property in Pauls Valley consisted of a vacant lot at Willow and Bert Streets, acquired by the Dicocese from the Moody/Robbins/Patchell families for $9000. The first Mass was held in the Stufflebean Funeral Home October 2, 1949, with 55 persons attending, including the children in this total. The rectory was completed in June 1950. The plans for the church and house were made by Reynolds and Morrison of Oklahoma City, OK. Contractors for the project were Geo. Smith and Sons of Bethany, OK. Contract for both buildings was $41,400. After furnishings and equipment, the total cost of the establishment of the Parish at its current location was approximately $56,000. This included such things as sidewalks, etc. The first Mass in the new Church at its current location was June 23, 1950. The dedication was held on October 8, 1950 by Bishop McGuinness, and the buildings were out of debt on the day of the dedication. A gift of $35,000 was made to clear the debt by Papal Countess Katherine E. Price of Greenwich, Connecticut through Bishop McGuinness. For the benefit of those who follow, we shall always be truly grateful to the Stufflebean family for all their kindness and courtesy in providing so generously facilities for Mass during the early months of the Church.
The Patron Saint of our Parish is Saint Catherine of Siena. The 25th child of a wool dryer in Northern Italy, St. Catherine started having mystical experiences when she was only 6, seeing guardian angles as clearly as the people they protected. She became a Dominican tertiary when she was 16, and continued to have visions of Christ, Mary, and the saints. St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day, although she never had any formal education. She persuaded the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon in 1377, and when she died she was endeavoring to heal the Great Western Schism. In 1375, our Lord gave her the Stigmata, which was visible only after her death. Her spiritual director was Blessed Raymond of Capua. St. Catherine's letters, and a treatise called, "A Dialogue," are considered among the most brilliant writings in the history of the Catholic Church. She died when she was only 33, and her body was found incorrupt in 1430. As a parish we celebrate her feast day every year on April 29.
205 W. Bert, Pauls Valley, OK 73075
Phone: (405) 238-3741
Fax: (405) 238-5325
Phone: (405) 238-3741
Fax: (405) 238-5325