WHO WE ARE
We are the home of a vibrant, inclusive church community which is growing every day, as evidenced through our many programs and ministries. Home to nearly 450 members, we comprise a diverse church population in a casual, welcoming environment.
We believe in the future of our youth and children and strongly support programs designed specifically for them. Our youth group is active at both the junior and senior high level, and we offer a nursery program with capable, loving childcare for every worship service.
The Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, with 70 million members in 163 countries. We are a community of Christians bound together by our belief that Holy Scripture contains the very core of all Christian faith. Through the many ancient, as well as modern, stories that connect us to Jesus and his teachings, we discover daily God's hope and call to us in our life together.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe there is one God who creates all things, redeems us from sin and death, and renews us as the Children of God. As Episcopalians we promise to follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We believe the mission of our church is the restoration of all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.
Our worship
In worship, we are united, acknowledging the holiness of God, to hear God's Word, to offer prayer, and to celebrate God's presence among us. All are welcome to participate in our worship because it is in worship that we live out our life as a Christian family together. Scripture is the foundation of our worship. The service follows an order found in our worship book called the Book of Common Prayer, two-thirds of which is scriptural. Every worship service includes the reading of Holy Scripture from the Old and New Testaments. Many of our prayers and hymns are filled with Scripture. The Book of Common Prayer includes a variety of ancient and modern prayers and worship occasions for times when the whole community gathers and for individual use. The Book of Common Prayer allows everyone to participate, reminding us that each person is an important part of the worship experience, whether the service is a celebration or a solemn occasion. It is a guide book for daily Christian living.
The Creeds
The word “Creed” comes from the Latin word “credo,” which means “I believe.” The Creeds are the statements that contain a summary of our basic beliefs.
In the Episcopal Church we say both the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed in our worship. The Apostles Creed dates from the early years of the Christian Church and was used as a statement of faith at Baptism. The Apostles Creed is included in the services of daily Morning and daily Evening Prayer that may be used both at church and in private devotions.
The Nicene Creed was written in the year 325 by early bishops meeting in Nicaea (modern day Turkey). It is a statement which summarizes the Christian faith and is said in unison during services of Holy Eucharist (the reenactment of the Lord's Supper). It can be found on pages 326 and 358 in the Book of Common Prayer.
What if I have doubts or questions?
It's not unusual to have doubts and questions. In the Episcopal Church, questions are encouraged. There are many groups, classes and forums available for discussing questions with other seekers. One opportunity is the Journey in Faith course, held each September-May. In addition, the clergy are eager to be contacted for help with questions.
OUR HISTORY
St. Patrick's Episcopal Church began in 1995 as the union of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Broken Arrow and St. Columba of Iona Episcopal Mission in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
St. Andrew's, named after the patron saint of Scotland, originated when a group of Episcopalians held the first service on Palm Sunday at Kennard's Funeral Home sponsored by the clergy of St. Luke's of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1961. As the membership of St. Andrew's grew, they met in various locations in Broken Arrow before breaking ground for their own Chapel in 1962 and becoming a Diocesan Mission in 1963. St. Andrew's was awarded parish status in 1982. Another expansion occurred in 2016 to create office space and remodel our parish hall, kitchen, restroom facilities and lobby.
St. Columba of Iona, named after an Irish saint who evangelized in Scotland, was started in 1991 to take advantage of the growth in southeast Tulsa and met at Union Intermediate High School. The two churches had considered merging, and when the priest at St. Andrew's was called to serve in a parish out of state, the plan to unite these churches became a reality in November of 1994.
In 1995, the new congregation of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church installed its first vestry serving 288 members at the St. Andrew's facility at 500 North Ninth Street in Broken Arrow. The rapidly-growing church required larger facilities and began operating in its new building on 81st Street, just east of Highway 169 in March of 2000. In March of 2007 an educational wing was added to provide space for education, meetings and outreach. Another expansion occurred in 2016 to create office space and remodel our parish hall, kitchen, restroom facilities and lobby.