First Presbyterian Church (Tulsa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa |
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First Presbyterian Church, Tulsa in 2007
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| Location | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Country | U.S. |
| Denomination | Presbyterian Church (USA) |
| Membership | 2,600 |
| Website | [1] |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Founder(s) | James M. Hall |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Gothic |
| Completed | 1926 |
The First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa began in 1885. At that time, Tulsa was part of the Creek Nation in what was called Indian Territory, before Oklahoma became a state. The church first met in a store owned by brothers James M. Hall and Harry C. Hall. Traveling ministers led the services.
The church's first building, made of wood, was finished in 1899. In 1900, Reverend Charles William Kerr and his wife arrived in Tulsa. He became the church's first full-time minister and stayed for over 40 years. Under his guidance, two more church buildings were built, both made of stone.
As Tulsa grew into a big city after oil was discovered nearby, this church also grew. By 1948, it became one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the United States. Today, First Presbyterian Church (FPC) is part of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA.
During the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921, Reverend Kerr opened the church to help African Americans. Many women and children found safety there while their homes in the Greenwood District were being attacked. The church building from 1926 is now part of the Oil Capital Historic District. This area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.
Contents
Church History in Tulsa
Early Years: 1880s to 1910
In 1882, James M. Hall and Harry C. Hall opened a general store in Tulsa. This was near where First and Main streets are today. Tulsa was still in the Creek Nation, Indian Territory. Traveling Presbyterian missionaries served the people. Their pay came from the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA). Reverend Robert McGill Loughridge gave the first sermon in Tulsa on August 19, 1883. He preached on the porch of the Hall brothers' store.
The small group of church members asked Reverend William Penn Haworth to be their pastor. He was a missionary in Vinita at the time. Reverend Haworth helped get money from the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. This money was used to build Tulsa's first school house, which also served as the town's first church. James Hall is known for starting First Presbyterian Church (FPC). It was the first lasting Protestant church in Tulsa. It began meeting in 1885 at the Presbyterian School House. In 1888, Reverend Haworth was hurt for speaking out against bad habits. Because of his injuries, he retired early and left Indian Territory.
As more people joined, FPC needed a bigger building. A new wooden church was finished in 1899 at 4th Street and Boston Avenue. In 1901, Reverend Charles William Kerr came from Pennsylvania to be the second minister. He was a strong leader, and the church grew quickly. This was also when Tulsa's population exploded. Oil was found nearby in Red Fork in 1901 and in Glenpool in 1905. These discoveries made Tulsa grow very fast. Other churches also started around this time.
James Hall and two friends also started the Union Sunday School. This was a group for different churches. Later, Hall was the leader of the FPC Sunday school for twenty years.
Moving to a New Home: 1910 to 1926
In 1910, the church moved to a new, larger building. It was made of limestone and had three stories. This building was at the corner of Seventh Street and Boston Avenue. It had a round roof and tall Ionic columns. This building was later taken down in the early 1950s. The Kerr Building stands there now.
The Tulsa Race Massacre happened on June 1, 1921. During this time, white groups attacked African Americans, especially in the Greenwood District. Reverend Kerr of FPC opened the church basement to offer safety. Many African-American women and children from Greenwood found refuge there.
Growth and Change: 1926 to 2010
The third permanent church building was finished in 1926. It was built next to the 1910 building. Mrs. Kerr called this new, Gothic-style church the "high kirk" of Tulsa. The picture at the top of this page shows this building in 2007.
In 1928, the main meeting of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) was held at FPC in Tulsa. In 1932, Reverend Kerr was chosen to lead this big meeting.
Reverend Kerr retired as the Senior Pastor in 1941. He continued to serve as Pastor Emeritus until he passed away. By 1941, the church had more than 3,200 members. The church kept growing under the next pastor, Dr. Edmund Miller. Membership reached over 5,000. In 1948, the church was officially named the second-largest Presbyterian church in the United States.
The 1910 church building was taken down in the early 1950s. The current C. W. Kerr Building was built in its place. It is named after the church's long-serving pastor.
Modern Era: 2010 to Present
In 2010, FPC started building a new expansion. This project was between 7th and 8th streets and Boston and Cincinnati avenues. It included updating the historic church building on the west side (on Boston Ave). It also added new offices and classrooms, a courtyard shaped like a Celtic cross, and a large space for services and community events. This new complex cost $33 million.
In December 2010, the 1926 church building was recognized as an important part of the Oil Capital Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Pastors Who Served
- Charles William Kerr, 1900 - 1941
- Edmund F. Miller, D. D., 1941 - 1957
- Bryant M. Kirkland, D. D., 1957 - 1962
- William Wiseman, 1963 - 1984
- Ernest J. Lewis, 1985 - 1990
- James D. Miller, Ph. D., 1992–2023
Current Pastors
- Rev. James D. Miller, Ph.D.
- Rev. James Estes, M.Div.
- Rev. Wambugu Gachungi, M.Div
- Rev. Dan Hutchinson, M.Div.
- Rev. Julia Metcalf, M.Div.
