First Baptist Central Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Baptist Central Church
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | 521 N. Central Ave., Okmulgee, Oklahoma |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1915 |
| MPS | Black Baptist Churches in Okmulgee TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000307 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1984 |
The First Baptist Central Church in Okmulgee, Oklahoma is a very old and important church building. It is located at 521 North Central Avenue. This church was built in 1915 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it is recognized as a special place that is important to the history of the United States.
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A Special Place in History
The First Baptist Central Church is historically significant for several reasons. It is the oldest church building for the Black community in Okmulgee. As of 2025, this church has served its community for 110 years!
Okmulgee's Black Community
The church is also one of the oldest buildings of any kind still standing in the area where Black families lived in Okmulgee. At one time, Okmulgee had one of the largest Black communities in Oklahoma, besides cities like Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Muskogee. The First Baptist Central Church is also among the oldest Black Baptist churches in eastern Oklahoma.
How the Church Began
The First Baptist Central Church started from an even older group called the New Hope Baptist congregation, which was formed way back in 1892. As more and more people joined, the congregation needed a bigger place to worship. So, the current church building was finished in 1915. It was the very first brick church built for Black people in Okmulgee.
A Center for the Community
Over the years, the number of members in the church has changed, usually staying around 200 to 250 people. This made it one of the largest all-Black congregations in eastern Oklahoma. For many decades, the First Baptist Central Church was a vital part of the Black community in Okmulgee. It was not just a place for worship, but also a social hub. During a time when people were often kept apart because of their race, the church provided a safe and welcoming place for Black people to gather and connect.
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