Our Patron Saint
Pope Pius X (1835-1914)
Pope Pius X is best remembered for his bold encouragement of the Eucharist, especially by children and is thus called “Pope of The Eucharist.”
Born Giuseppe Melchoirre Sarto, the second of ten children to working class parents in the small, rural town of Riese, Italy. Ever mindful of his humble background, Pope Pius X stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor and I will die poor.”
At age 15, Giuseppe entered the local seminary and was ordained in 1858 at age 23. He served as a parish priest for 17 years before being transferred to diocesan seminary and then named chancellor of the diocese.
Having been made first a bishop and then a cardinal, Pius X was the unexpected choice of the 1903 papal conclave. His motto “renew all things in Christ” came from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. As Bishop of Rome, Pius X emphasized frequent Holy Communion and made it possible for properly prepared children as young as 7 to receive the Eucharist. Pius X was also a great friend of liturgical music and planted many seeds which were to become the vision of the Second Vatican Council and its Decree on the Liturgy.
Pius X continued the direction of Leo XIII in the Church’s developing social justice teaching. In the summer of 1914, his was a voice of reason and peace as the monarchs and governments of Europe marched into an insane conflict which was to consume millions of lives. He was declared a saint in 1954.
INSIDE ST. PIUS X CHURCH
VESTIBULE
Name of the Brick: Outside is 50% Old Towne Blend. 50% Osage Blend. Inside is 1/3 White Decor, 1/3 Smokey Decor, 1/3 Flashed Decor. Brick is from Acme Brick Co. of Tulsa. The painting to the right is of the barn and is done in oil. The stained glass windows are of Our Lady and St. Pius X.
BAPTISTRY
The ceremonies of Baptism begin in the vestibule and at one part of the ceremonies the one to be baptized is led into the body of the Church, symbolizing that through Baptism we enter the Catholic Church. The base of the font is made of black granite - the same as the altar. The bowl itself is simply made out of iron covered in bronze. The bowl is the end of a butane tank. The symbolism is of God. The base is a triangle. The circle around the bowl is for the oneness of God. The steps down symbolize St. Paul's teaching that through Baptism we are buried with Christ and we rise to new life. The candle is this years' Paschal Candle which is a symbol of Christ the Light of the World. The etchings on the windows are Baptismal symbol., the dove representing the Holy Spirit or the indwelling of God in us, the tongues of fire another symbol of the Holy Spirit, the candle coming out of the water symbolizes Christlikeness coming from the waters of Baptism.
CHURCH IN GENERAL
The pews are oak in fruitwood color and the church will seat about 1,000. The brick and wood striping in the inside of the church are for acoustical effects and at the same time decorative.
WINDOWS
The windows have a Marian design linked together with the rosary. The symbolism in the windows is from the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. If you face the altar, the window to your far right is "Morning Star." The symbolism there is, "As the morning star, which is a planet, receives royal beauty from the sun, so Mary receives grace and beauty from her Son." The next window is "Tower of Ivory." Third is fleur-de-lis, which is a French Marian symbol. That is a lily, which is the symbol of Virgin Most Pure. The fourth window is "Queen of Martyrs." The blue window is "Mother of Christ." The central red window has no symbolism in it, except the rosary. The next window symbolizes the Immaculate heart of Jesus and Mary. That is followed by "Queen of all Saints" (Heavenly Jerusalem), then "Tower of David." The red window is "Star of the Sea." The next window is "Ark of the Covenant." The symbolism for this last window is from the Old Testament. The Ark of the Covenant was looked upon as the place where God lived and Mary is looked upon as the new Ark, the place where the God-Man lived. Ludwig Schrimer did all the windows in the church. The glass is from Germany.
ALTAR
The altar is made of polished black granite. The granite came from South America. The altar and the Communion rail are made of the same material to show that the Communion rail is really an extension of the altar. The statues were carved in Italy. They are made out of linden wood. To the left is Our Lady as housewife and mother. To the right Is St. Joseph as a worker.
STATIONS
These stations are oil paintings done showing events and sufferings of Christ by showing only the hands and feet. David Smith, who did the paintings, used to live in the parish and now lives in California. He had asked Fr. Phee, the pastor at the time, If he could paint something for the barn. Fr. Phee, thinking in terms of a white wash job, agreed - and then was presented with the stations.
CHAPEL
The windows in the chapel are of the seven sacraments. There are eight windows, so we divided one sacrament. From the front of the chapel, if you face the windows, the first window on the left symbolizes Baptism, then Penance, and Confirmation. The two middle windows are on the Eucharist- as sacrament and sacrifice. Then Holy Orders with the hands and chalice. These are followed by Matrimony and lastly the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. There is also a set of stations in the back of the chapel - very small and wood carved. The confessionals are also in the chapel. The altar is granite from Frederick, Oklahoma.