Shawnee is a just-the-right-size kind of town with a multitude of opportunities for all ages. With a population of 28,600, the city is called "The Center of It All."

Excellent education is offered in the Shawnee Public School system, and Liberty Academy provides a private Christian education. For higher education, Shawnee boasts St. Gregory's University and Oklahoma Baptist University, four-year, private colleges, as well as the Gordon Cooper Technology Center. Our local library, located downtown, is a wonderful place for the curious of all ages to journey around the world.

Health care is considered first-rate in Shawnee, with two hospital campuses under the Unity Health Center operations. Their campuses have more than 70 physicians and 700 health professionals on staff.

Entertainment, cultural and social opportunities abound in the city and surrounding areas. Shawnee is home to the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, considered one of the finest art collections in the state. The Shawnee Little Theatre provides a season of quality, diverse community theater where friends and neighbors team to stage several shows a year.

A historic downtown, just a few blocks from Emmanuel Episcopal, takes you back to the city's heritage. Among the historic buildings that have been preserved are the Ritz Theatre, an old movie theater that has new life as a performing arts center, and the Santa Fe Depot, which houses the county Historical Society's collection.

Shawnee's historic depot near downtown was placed on the National Register of  Historic Places on June 5,1974. Its unique structure draws railroad buffs  and others interested in the architecture.

The annual jazz festival, Jazz on Bell Street, brings thousands to downtown, and the annual Christmas parade on Main Street is considered the state's largest nighttime holiday parade. The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center on the west side of town welcomes numerous events each year, including the International Finals Youth Rodeo, considered the world's richest

Plenty of shopping is found throughout the city -from unique shops in the historic business district to an expansive Shawnee Mall and plenty in between. Shawnee also is known as a place to get a good meal. Barbecue, Italian, Chinese, pizza, quaint delis, bistros and more welcome people to eat out. And the city is only 30-35 minutes away from downtown Oklahoma City, where many other eating and entertainment opportunities can be found

A thriving area of industry north of town features such large employers as Eaton, ExxonMobil, TDK Corporation and Wolverine Tube and several others

Two Native American tribes have their headquarters in Shawnee -the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Their activities and culture enrich the area

Families, retirees, college students -people of all ages and backgrounds -call Shawnee home. Its mix of small-town atmosphere and big-city amenities makes Shawnee a great place to live, work and play

In virtually all these endeavors, from the restoration of historical buildings to the arts and little theater, from health care and social services, education and entertainment, Emmanuel parishioners will be in the middle of the action!