Oklahoma's National Register of Historic Places

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ID Number 78002244
Historic Name CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Description of Significance CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH HAS LONG BEEN AN IMPORTANT SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CENTER TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN OKLAHOMA CITY. DESIGNED BY RUSSELL BENTON BINGHAM, A GRADUATE OF THE TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE AND A MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION, THIS TWO STORY WITH BASEMENT GOTHIC REVIVAL STYLE CHURCH IS CLAD IN BRICK WITH CAST STONE ACCENTS. BECAUSE OF THE SIZE AND LOCATION OF THE CHURCH, CALVARY HOSTED A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY EVENTS AND SPECIAL GUESTS, INCLUDING MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. IN 1958, A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM CALGARY INSTIGATED A SERIES OF SIT-INS AT SEGREGATED RESTAURANTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. PARTICIPANTS WOULD MARCH FROM THE CHURCH TO THE RESTAURANT, SIT AND WAIT TO BE SERVED, AND THEN MARCH BACK TO THE CHURCH AFTERWARDS. THIS EFFORT CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL YEARS. BY 1962, MORE THAN 175 LOCAL RESTAURANTS HAD OPENED THEIR DOORS TO BLACKS. DURING THE SIT-INS, THE CHURCH RECEIVED BOMB THREATS, BUT THE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE CONTINUED. LISTED IN NATIONAL REGISTER 12/19/1978.
Current Name SAME
Address 300 N WALNUT
City OKLAHOMA CITY
County OKLAHOMA
Lot
Block
Current Section
Township
Range
Type BUILDING
Historic Function RELIGION: RELIGIOUS STRUCTURE
Current Function RELIGION: RELIGIOUS STRUCTURE
Area Significance 1 ETHNIC HERITAGE: BLACK
Area Significance 2 SOCIAL HISTORY
Date Prepared 09/78
Year Built 1900
Original Site YES
Architect/Builder BINGHAM, RUSSELL BENTON
Architectural Style GOTHIC REVIVAL
Roof Material UNCOLLECTED
Wall Material BRICK
Window Material WOOD
Door Material WOOD
Decorative Details ORNATE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
Condition SANCTUARY
Comments A BRICK CHURCH WITH A 2 1/2 STORY SANCTUARY
Restricted N