History of our Patron Saint

Charles Borromeo, the third of six children and second son of Margherita de Medici and Count Gilberto Borromeo, was born in Castle of Arona, Italy in 1538. He lived the first eleven years of his life in Arona and Milan. At age twelve, he entered the clerical state and, shortly thereafter, was appointed Abbot of Arona by his uncle, Cardinal de Medici, who would later become pope under the title Pius IV. Charles went on to study Latin, and completed doctorates in civil law and canon law at the University of Pavia. His energy and diplomatic skills in negotiating international conflicts earned him the respect of Pius IV who, in 1560, named Charles the Protector of Portugal, Lower Germany, and part of Switzerland, and several orders, including the Franciscans and Carmelites.

In 1562, Charles was sent prepare the faithful of the diocese, both clergy and laity, for carrying out the reforms prescribed by the Council of Trent, which he did with patience and devotion. After the Council of Trent, he produced the catechism embodying the teaching of the Council, the revision of the Missal and Breviary, and the reform of Church music. On the death of his brother, he resolved to give himself with greater strictness to spiritual matters, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1563. He celebrated his first Mass on the Assumption in St. Peter’s, and his second Mass in an oratory where St, Ignatius had celebrated. He was consecrated Bishop at age twenty-six in March 1564, received the pallium, and was preconized in May. From 1566 to 1576, he showed admirably how the Church had the power to reform from within, and was respected for his manner of preaching, repression of avaricious priests, and ecclesiastical ceremonies. He rose above privilege and chose to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. Beginning with his household he gave much of his property to the poor and practiced great mortification. During the plague in 1576-1577, he devoted himself entirely to prayer and pastoral care, visiting the sick in their homes. He spent years traveling throughout Europe to reform the clergy and people who had become lax and negligent, and he renewed their spirit. Although his life was in danger at times from those who opposed him, he revived the true ecclesiastical spirit everywhere he journeyed in Europe. He died in Milan in 1584 at the age of forty-six, and was buried in the splendid Cathedral of Milan. Charles was canonized on November 1, 1610 by Pope Paul V. The predominant characteristic of St. Charles is pastoral solicitude.

History of our Church

St. Charles Borromeo (pronounced Bŏr´ō mā′ō ) Church was established May 15, 1954, during the pontification of Pope Pius XII. Father Charles Beckman, originally from Chicago, became a priest in the Oklahoma City diocese and was named the first pastor of St. Charles. Charles Makon, named Charles after St. Charles, donated the land and requested that the church be named St. Charles Borromeo. Father Beckman began services for the Parish in the Chapel of the Carmelite Sisters on Meridian Street, guiding his flock of fifty-five families. Shortly after, several priests from Chicago came to settle in Oklahoma City which led, in part, to a burgeoning of the Church within what had been a predominantly non-Catholic city. In the fall of1955, the Carmelite Sisters opened St. Charles Borromeo School, and were the first teachers. There were eight grades with one hundred fifteen children taught by three teaching nuns, in four classrooms. A parcel of land was later purchased for additional classrooms and a school playground. After the first year, Father Beckman invited the Sisters of Charity from Chicago to teach in the school. The Sisters of Charity left in 1970, and the Carmelite Sisters were invited back. The Carmelite Sisters of St. Therese provided support and teachers until 1990.

The next phase of growth began in 1958. Initial development of the Church community was established by the Christian Family movement, a group of married couples who met in homes regularly to observe the world and to determine as a group what actions could strengthen the community. There was great interest in lay leadership and this was the first attempt in an American Church to develop a well-grounded lay leadership. The 1960s were a time of profound change in the Church because of the decrees of the Second Vatican Council. At this time there was already present in the Oklahoma City community a broader vision of the Church.

When Father Beckman left to lead another church, he was replaced by Father Lynch from Chicago who led the construction of the present church building. Mass was offered in St. Charles for the first time in March 1968 and the Church was dedicated formally in September 1968 by Bishop Victor J. Reed. The next pastor, Father Joyce from Chicago, did much to set the tone and character of the Parish. He emphasized lay participation, active liturgy, and the sense of outreach to service beyond its own parochial boundaries.

The 1960’s and 1970’s were notable as a period of tremendous growth for the Church, and St. Charles became the largest parish in Oklahoma City. When Father Kastner succeeded Father Joyce he was uniquely able to carry on the vision of his predecessor. As the parish continued to grow, it was considered too large and was split, with emergence of the Epiphany Church. The Church then experienced a five-year period of financial and spiritual turmoil as the congregation paralleled in its own life changes in worldwide Catholicism. The next phase of maturity was marked by deepening outreach. Father Gallatin was called to lead St. Charles Borromeo in 1988, providing the Parish with a steadying influence, compassion, and justice. In 1991 a free health clinic was established near the church. During the 1990s, development of the Stephen ministries further extended services to the people. The Parish has been enlivened with the expression of hope, health, Counsel, and peace to the community. The school, staffed by lay teachers, has ten classrooms with grades one to eight, kindergarten, and pre-school. There is ample space in the school for sports, and in the Parish centers for meetings and social activities. The Church remains dynamic, yet mature in anticipation of future challenges and opportunities, and worldwide change. In this first decade of the twenty-first century, Father Gallatin carries on the leadership of St. Charles Borromeo Church in his homilies, guidance of his flock, and embracement of the community.

In June, 2008 marking his 50th anniversary as a priest, Father Gallatin retired. Rev. Phillip M. Seeton was assigned to St. Charles with Rev. James W. Wickersham and Rev. Balaswamy Konka as Associate Pastors.