Eighteen Months After Tornado, New Parish Hall Construction Complete in Barnsdall
BARNSDALL — In the late-night hours of May 6, 2024, an EF-4 tornado tore through the Eastside of town, destroying or damaging multiple homes and leaving mass destruction in its wake. Miraculously, St. Mary's Catholic Church survived an apparent direct hit, but the adjacent parish hall was not so fortunate.
But now, 18 months later, the Church has been repaired, windows and doors replaced, the grounds swept clean, and a bright new parish hall stands on the former foundation ready to host future gatherings and celebrations. Bishop David Konderla celebrated Sunday Mass and blessed the new facility that is expected to open in late November pending final approval from the State Fire Marshal.
"It was a trying moment for all of us here in our parish, but our bishop and the diocese stood by us every step of the way to encourage us and to assure us that they are going to rebuild our hall, and indeed, that has come to fruition today," said St. Mary's pastor, Fr. Emmanuel Nduka, at the conclusion of Mass. "So dear bishop, I want to thank you on behalf of my parishioners. You have shown us how much you have loved us, and we'll not take it for granted. Thank you so much."
The parish also celebrated the news that it had met and exceeded its annual fundraising goal for the 2025 Faith & Works Appeal.
"My dear friends, thank you so much for your love, for your support. Thank you all so much," added Fr. Nduka.
Bishop Konderla had earlier that morning also joined Fr. Nduka for Mass at Immaculate Conception in Pawhuska before traveling to Barnsdall. Following the blessing and a brief tour of the new parish hall, Bishop Konderla then joined St. Mary's parishioners for a lunch at a nearby gathering spot in town.
For the miraculous story of the Church surviving the 2024 tornado and how parishioners and townspeople pitched in to repair and restore, see our cover story in the July/August 2024 issue of
Eastern Oklahoma Catholic magazine
here.