The steady hum of slot machines blends with hymns every weekend at the Riverside Resort and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Inside the 800-seat Don’s Celebrity Theatre, just past the poker tables, rows of chairs fill up for Catholic Mass. Father Charlie Urnick, longtime pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, jokes, “We’re the only Catholic church that has valet parking.”
A Unique Parish Arrangement
What started over three decades ago as a temporary solution to the lack of a dedicated church has become one of the most unusual parish setups in the country. In 1992, about 500 residents petitioned the Diocese of Reno to send a priest to the small river town, about 90 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. Father John McShane began celebrating Mass in local casinos that year. As the congregation grew, services moved in 1996 to the Riverside showroom, where they have continued ever since.
St. John the Baptist Parish now has its own church building, constructed in 2003 about five miles from the casino, but weekend Mass at the casino draws larger crowds. The space is normally a concert venue—next month, a Bee Gees cover band, a Shania Twain impersonator, and a Creedence Clearwater tribute band are scheduled. But on weekend mornings, worshippers pass through the gaming floor to reach the showroom, where large screens display stained-glass imagery. “The casino has bells and lights. We have bells and lights as well,” Urnick said.
Casino Chips in the Collection Basket
Parishioners often contribute to the collection basket in the form of casino chips or slot tickets, redeemed by volunteers nicknamed “chip munks.” Weekend Masses draw a mix of locals and tourists, including valet attendants from nearby resorts. “They seem kind of surprised at first that there’s Mass at the casino, but once they come, they come back,” Urnick said. “Sometimes they even plan their vacation so they can be here for a Saturday and Sunday.”
Auxiliary Bishop Gregory Gordon, director of the Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas, noted that Catholic Mass in Vegas-area casino hotels began in 1958, timed around shift changes for 24-hour workers. Casino owners later helped provide land for the cathedral. Today, churches and casinos still collaborate, including hosting services in casino ballrooms during construction.
A Lively Pastor
Urnick, in his late 70s and a former high school teacher and chaplain, leads Mass with a lively sense of humor. “If you can make people smile when they come to church on Sunday, do it—they’ve had a hard week,” he said. “Get their attention, and then you can go with the Gospel message.” He does not plan to retire soon, and his services are also livestreamed for out-of-town worshippers.
The mix of locals and visitors gives each service a different rhythm. “On a Saturday night, the first Mass always has an upbeat vibe,” Urnick said. “People are arriving for the weekend—they’re going to dinner or a show later, sometimes even in the same room where Mass is held.” The Sunday noon Mass is more subdued, as people check out and head home. But in between, many come and make a day of it.
