Atoka in Atoka County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Oklahoma's First Catholic Church

Photographed by James Hulse, September 10, 2025

1. Oklahoma's First Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. St. Patrick's Church of Atoka was built in 1872. Fr. Michael Smythe from Ft. Smith served here. Fr. Isidore Robot, O.S.B. was 1st resident' priest. He later was 1st Prefect Apostolic of Ind. Ter., and founded Sacred Heart Mission west of Atoka, 1876.

Erected 1971 by Oklahoma Historical Society and State Highway Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 34° 21.687′ N, 96° 8.651′ W. Marker is in Atoka, Oklahoma, in Atoka County. It is on South Mississippi Avenue 0.1 miles north of W Chicken Fight Road, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in front of the church along the highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2103 S Mississippi Ave, Atoka OK 74525, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Captain Atoka (approx. 1.9 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away); 45th Infantry Division Memorial Highway (approx. 1.9 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away); Cornerstone from [Atoka] County Courthouse (approx. 1.9 miles away); Middle Boggy Battle

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(approx. 3 miles away); Historic Butterfield Trail in Indian Territory (approx. 3 miles away); Site Inundated Geary's Station (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atoka.

Oklahoma's First Catholic Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 10, 2025

2. Oklahoma's First Catholic Church and Marker

The view of the Marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 10, 2025

3. The view of the Marker along the street

Oklahoma's First Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 10, 2025

4. Oklahoma's First Catholic Church

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.