Rev. Emil Jerome Gerlich - FIRST Native Priest - Prague, OK
Posted by: hamquilter
N 35° 28.579 W 096° 40.492
14S E 710954 N 3928351
Rev. Gerlich's burial is in Prague Catholic Cemetery, a.k.a. St. Wenceslaus Cemetery.
Waymark Code: WMEKA7
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 06/08/2012
Views: 3
Prague Catholic Cemetery is located south of Prague. From the intersection of Highways 62 and 99 (Jim Thorpe Blvd.), travel south one mile, then east on First Street (1060 Rd) one-half mile. The cemetery is on the south side of the road. The cemetery is open grass slightly sloped, with a few tree plantings. It is very nicely landscaped and maintained.
Among the 321 burials, this grey granite headstone documents that Rev. Emil Jerome Gerlich was the first Native American priest of the Catholic churches in Oklahoma. He was born four years before Oklahoma statehood. His headstone is inscribed:
Rev. Emil Jerome Gerlich
Jan. 21, 1903 - July 10, 1969Born in Indian Territory
First Native Priest of Oklahoma
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