A method of producing an oxidative coupling catalyst is disclosed by mixing particles of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, with a particle size in the range from 100 to 150 .mu.m, and silica, with a particle size in the range from about 150 to about 215 .mu.m. The particles are heated to a temperature of at least about 800.degree. C., after which the silica particles impregnated with Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 are separated from the remaining iron particles. The catalyst can be utilized for the oxidative coupling of methane with water molecules on the surface of the silica substrate, with the silica having a particle size in the range from about 150 to about 215.ltoreq..mu.m. The silicate catalyst substrate is essentially non-porous and has an average geometrical surface on the order of about 0.004 .mu.m.sup.2 /g and a surface concentration of iron on the order of about 2% by weight. An alternative method of oxidatively coupling methane is to mix oxygen and methane in a gaseous stream and contacting the mixture with an active methane oxidative coupling catalytic material, preferably in a fluidized bed, of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 metal oxide impregnated silica. The non-porous silica substrate has water molecules on the surface and a particle size in the range from about 150 to about 215.ltoreq..mu.m and has an average geometrical surface on the order of about 0.004 .mu.m.sup.2 /g. The method catalytic material is essentially non-porous and the surface concentration of iron on the catalyst is on the order of about 2% by weight. Steam can be provided to the oxygen and methane mixture.