Church History
The first Catholics in the Kingfisher area chose to make their homes close to the Cimarron River, cradled between Kingfisher Creek and John’s Creek. Not having a church building never stopped the faithful from attending Sunday Mass. This was first done in the homes and, a little later, when C.F. Wickmiller built his drugstore on Main Street and offered it for use for Mass.
In 1892, Father Beck built the first Church on credit at 8th and Wyatt, a small frame building. It was dedicated to St. Ann. In 1894, thirteen families donated the funds to pay for it.
The church grew until there was need felt for a larger building. In 1903 work began on the church we have today, tall and ever-present in its location there on Catholic Hill, as it came to be known by members and non-members alike in the community. The small frame church, St. Ann’s, was listed for sale in 1903 and sold to the Halladay family who used it for a produce house. The new church was completed and finally dedicated as Sts. Peter & Paul’s during an impressive ceremony in August of 1909, with Father Goetzinger, the new pastor, offciating. Over 500 people attended the services.
Through the years, a school was added, known as Sts. Peter & Paul’s Institute. The Beneditine Sisters from Guthrie taught there, establishing a grade school, high school and a music department. The Dominican and Carmelite Sisters followed the Benedictines in later years.
It was Father Theophile Van Hulse whose dream of a tuition-free school materialized in 1929 with the building of a new brick building still used today.
In 1960, Father Voegle, known as “The Builder” wherever he was sent, began supervision of work on a parish hall. Endless activities including sporting events, dinners, breakfasts, receptions and meetings are held there. It also houses the school cafeteria.
The church has stood firm through three storms, one that damaged the original small frame building badly; another that caused severe damage to the current building while under construction; and another in which lightning struck the steeple, which caused a fire that consumed that steeple. Unperturbed, the parishioners replaced the steeple, and it stands today, a symbol of endurance and courage, but most importantly, as a symbol of faith.
Father James Ross, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul from 1975 to 1997, when interviewed about church attendance in a poll of the community reported,
“My people are faithful. They have always been faithful.”
-excerpts taken from an essay written by Genevieve Moss
