Mystery Building on N. Western

[Tritone]

There is an interesting building on the southwest corner of Northwest 8th and Western, just south across the street from the OKC Public Schools admin building. It's not huge, it's not new, but it intrigues me. I've driven past it many times and have often wondered about it. I'm sure someone on okctalk could write paragraphs about it. Anyone care to share a little history?

[ljbab728]

Evidently it is now a dwelling.

1100 Nw 8th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 (#52909290)

It appears that it may have been a church at one time.

[Pete]

Yes, it was a church and is now an realty office.

I took some photos when I also took the shots of the OKCPS Admin building and I'll post them later.

It's very cool looking and has a nice grassy area in the back.

[Canoe]

There used to be a house on the grassy area. It caught fire around 2009 give or take and was torn down. I believe it was an old eastern orthodox church. I may have that last fact wrong though.

[Pete]

Here are the photos...

There is a large grassy area to the west and south. Really cool setting and I love this little stretch of Western.

This building looks old but it was constructed in 1950.

[Martin]

Yes, it was a church and is now an realty office.

from what I understand, this will primarily be a residence with an in-home office for the owner's real estate business. he's been gradually working on it the past few years.

[Pete]

I looked through the windows when I took those photos and the entire downstairs at least is offices.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^^
Creeper

[Pete]

Haha... It was a Sunday and nobody was there.

It sure didn't look like anyone was living there.

[Urbanized]

...he said to the cops...

[Tritone]

Pete (and other contributors),

Thanks for your responses. It definitely has a "churchy" look to it; I am a bit surprised that it dates from the 50s. It's just one of those structures that I saw growing up in OKC and always wondered about. Thanks again.

[cxl144]

This was the original location of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church from 1920 until 1984. From some research the building was funded by the Sinopoulos brothers John and Peter. They were responsible for founding Delmar Gardens, the Orpheum Theater as well as 4 other theaters including the original Lyric theater. Very interesting early, but somewhat forgotten founding family in Oklahoma City history.

The original church building was budgeted at $50,000 with John Sinopoulos being the chairman of the building committee. Gross Construction Company was the contractor.

Can't find any information on the 1950 construction though. I would assume the congregation had outgrown the original structure and they had enough resources to build something to accommodate the growing flock.