Agreement Would Limit Demolition Threat To Iconic Oklahoma City Church

By William CrumStaff writer wcrum@oklahoman.comFirst Christian Church would get a reprieve from the threat of demolition under terms of an agreement to be considered Tuesday by the Oklahoma City Council. Protecting First Christian's iconic white-domed sanctuary from destruction has become a rallying point for historic preservation advocates as the dwindling congregation seeks a buyer. The council will consider a memorandum of understanding among the city, First Christian and Crossings Community Church to stave off demolition while First Christian and Crossings negotiate a sale. First Christian and Crossings announced Easter morning they were working on a deal. First Christian, just north of downtown at 3700 N Walker Ave., could become a satellite campus in the heart of the city for Crossings, a megachurch whose main campus is at 14600 N Portland Ave. Led by Senior Pastor Marty Grubbs, Crossings' membership is 9,000. It has a satellite campus in Edmond, a clinic and community center, pre-K through 12th-grade school, and Sunday services at Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington. "I feel blessed that we were able to come together and have productive discussions for what I believe will lead to a great result," Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher said by text Friday night. Crossings' main campus is in Stonecipher's ward. Ward 2 Councilman James Cooper represents neighborhoods around First Christian. Neighbors have been vocal in their efforts to preserve the church, along with the associated Jewel Box Theatre and education center on the 31.8-acre First Christian property. Cooper said he met with leaders from Crossings and First Christian after the council deferred two weeks ago a vote to preempt review of First Christian's property for designation as a historic landmark overlay district. Cooper said the proposed agreement would enable the city to work with both churches to protect the First Christian sanctuary, theater and education center from demolition and "preserve these historic buildings for future generations.Read more on NewsOK.com

 

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