History

Within six days of the creation of Oklahoma City, a Methodist minister gathered a small group around him in a vacant lot.

Shortly afterwards a people nailed some boards together for a shelter and named it “Tabernacle Church.” By June, they had their first pastor, the Rev. I.L. Burrow. Within a month the congregation numbered 501.

When winter approached, the “lean-to” church was given walls. The members soon discovered their church would either be in a building program or suffering from growing pains from that day forward.

By 1904, a brick building had been constructed and new name was chosen - St. Luke’s Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Two years later the church moved “uptown” to 8th and Robinson. After 40 years the congregation had, once again, outgrown their facility and decided they must build again.

In March 1948 ground was broken at 15th and Robinson. On June 18, 1950 the first services were held in what would later become offices and classroom space. The congregation envisioned the day when a magnificent sanctuary would be added.

In January 1954 the new Education Building was dedicated, completed debt free. Immediately the congregation voted to raise another million dollars to build the sanctuary of their dreams.

The architect, engineers and building committee worked closely on the design, plans and specifications for the great cathedral sanctuary. Ground was broken on May 1, 1955 and construction was begun. On Sunday, March 3, 1956 the completed sanctuary was opened for services.

Born when Oklahoma City was born, St. Luke’s has grown in service with the community, arriving at the present with this magnificent symbol of God’s glory.