Guthrie’s St. Mary glows anew

On a warm Saturday morning in Guthrie, neighbors walked past Saint Mary Catholic Church as they often do. Children on bikes and dogs on leashes. Parishioners greeting each other on the sidewalk and climbing the steps together. This time, however, the old was new.

Inside, audible gasps punctuated the near-silent whispers of the faithful already in prayer. After seven months of celebrating Mass in the basement of the building on Elm Street, the planned renovation of Saint Mary Catholic Church is complete. A dedication Mass, held March 21, gave parishioners and visitors their first look at the newly renovated church.

In his homily, the Very Reverend James Wickersham described the condition of the church, built in 1921, prior to the renovation: cracked walls, worn floors and an electrical system “that sparked from time to time.” Parishioners chuckled and nodded in agreement as he recalled the months spent celebrating Mass in the basement of the building as a time that tested the entire parish. 

“At times, it was hard to pray,” he said.

Despite a visible pride on his face, Father Wickersham reminded parishioners that the breathtaking building is nothing without them – and God.

“If all we’ve done is restore plaster and floors, new pews, new lights, all we’ve done is make a beautiful building,” he said. “If that’s all she is, then she becomes a museum. And a church is not a museum. She is where we come to meet Christ.”

Most Reverend Paul Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, recited the Prayer of Dedication before the walls and altar were anointed with Sacred Chrism. The faithful, along with the walls, were incensed as the penultimate step in the consecration process. After the altar was covered in white cloth, the light of Christ burned in candles placed at the site of the anointings on the walls and the altar.

The solemnity and sanctity of the dedication Mass, not something many people are able to experience, emphasized the message in the prayer that defines the nature of the Church not as a building, but as a faith community. 

“Christ is here. That’s why this building exists,” said Father Wickersham.

Father Wickersham’s sentiments were echoed by parishioners Brian and Staci Amy. 

“It doesn’t matter if it’s in the basement or in the sanctuary, God is here,” Staci Amy said. “He is in this place.” 

Recalling the first time she walked into the basement for Mass, she described an unexpected feeling of continuity. 

“Just seeing that red candle in the basement was all we needed,” she said.

Although the sanctity of the Mass was never diminished during the renovation period, there are certain things the Amy family and other parishioners will not miss about the basement, primarily the garden kneeling pads used for their knees. 

“I told Father we should all get to go outside and throw them in the air now that we have made it!” Staci said.

Sally Linhart is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: (Above) Archbishop Coakley celebrated a dedication Mass on March 21 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie. Renovations were made to the church over the past several months. Photos Chris Porter.

Fr. James Wickersham during renovations at St. Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie. Photo Brian Amy.
Before and after renovations at St. Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie. Photos provided.