metro
02-01-2008, 08:51 AM
First Baptist Church plans $2 million renovation
February 1, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY – The First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City – part of the city for nearly a century – not only plans to stay near downtown but complete a $2 million renovation.
Built in 1912, the church was the site of Wiley Post’s funeral, as well as that of Sen. Robert S. Kerr in 1963, an event attended by President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson.
Over the years the church saw its ups and downs but remained at 1201 N. Robinson even as downtown declined and membership lagged even into the 1990s. The building was damaged in the federal building bombing in 1995 but stayed downtown and made the necessary repairs to the church.
With the arrival of Tom Ogburn three years ago as senior pastor, the church decided to strengthen its role in the downtown community and become an active part of the Midtown area’s revitalization.
The church is in the midst of raising the needed funds for several updates. The projects will include the heating and air conditioning systems, replacing the sound system in the 900-seat sanctuary, and a series of smaller projects such as replacing ceiling tiles and making several areas of the church ADA accessible. The church building’s most notable feature, its tower on the east side of the building, will also be equipped with lighting.
Ogburn said the church’s current membership is about 535, but has seen new faces in the past few months – those of younger people who now live in downtown and Midtown. “We have had a huge influx of people in their 20s and 30s,” he said. “And what’s amazing to us is a lot of those 20- and 30-year-olds walked to church.”
The church has taken note of its younger members and plans to become a hub of activity for the Midtown area, offering everything from Bible studies to tips on local attractions and restaurants. Ogburn said when he arrived there was only one restaurant in the church’s vicinity. He said he has been thrilled to see projects such as Greg Banta’s livening up the formerly bleak landscape. “It has been remarkable to see the cultural change,” Ogburn said. “What is going on with the church has mirrored the cultural change of our community.”
Larry Fitch, chairman of the Renew First Committee, which is in charge of the building renovations, said there is no date yet for work to begin, but the process should take about a year.The church hired Lippert Brothers Construction as the contractor and K&W Architects. Lippert was also the contractor for a previous renovation to the sanctuary and did repairs after the bombing in 1995.
Brett Hamm, president of Downtown OKC Inc., said there are about a dozen churches in the core of downtown. Hamm said they play a key role in quality of life when people consider moving to a new area.“Churches are a significant component of what develops your culture and environment,” Hamm said.
February 1, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY – The First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City – part of the city for nearly a century – not only plans to stay near downtown but complete a $2 million renovation.
Built in 1912, the church was the site of Wiley Post’s funeral, as well as that of Sen. Robert S. Kerr in 1963, an event attended by President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson.
Over the years the church saw its ups and downs but remained at 1201 N. Robinson even as downtown declined and membership lagged even into the 1990s. The building was damaged in the federal building bombing in 1995 but stayed downtown and made the necessary repairs to the church.
With the arrival of Tom Ogburn three years ago as senior pastor, the church decided to strengthen its role in the downtown community and become an active part of the Midtown area’s revitalization.
The church is in the midst of raising the needed funds for several updates. The projects will include the heating and air conditioning systems, replacing the sound system in the 900-seat sanctuary, and a series of smaller projects such as replacing ceiling tiles and making several areas of the church ADA accessible. The church building’s most notable feature, its tower on the east side of the building, will also be equipped with lighting.
Ogburn said the church’s current membership is about 535, but has seen new faces in the past few months – those of younger people who now live in downtown and Midtown. “We have had a huge influx of people in their 20s and 30s,” he said. “And what’s amazing to us is a lot of those 20- and 30-year-olds walked to church.”
The church has taken note of its younger members and plans to become a hub of activity for the Midtown area, offering everything from Bible studies to tips on local attractions and restaurants. Ogburn said when he arrived there was only one restaurant in the church’s vicinity. He said he has been thrilled to see projects such as Greg Banta’s livening up the formerly bleak landscape. “It has been remarkable to see the cultural change,” Ogburn said. “What is going on with the church has mirrored the cultural change of our community.”
Larry Fitch, chairman of the Renew First Committee, which is in charge of the building renovations, said there is no date yet for work to begin, but the process should take about a year.The church hired Lippert Brothers Construction as the contractor and K&W Architects. Lippert was also the contractor for a previous renovation to the sanctuary and did repairs after the bombing in 1995.
Brett Hamm, president of Downtown OKC Inc., said there are about a dozen churches in the core of downtown. Hamm said they play a key role in quality of life when people consider moving to a new area.“Churches are a significant component of what develops your culture and environment,” Hamm said.