Connected to Our Past...
First Church had its beginning on April 28, 1889, the first Sunday after the Land Run of April 22nd under the leadership of a Methodist pastor by the name of W. B. Shaw. In August of that year, two lots were purchased at the northeast corner of Robinson and NW 4th Street. First Church has occupied this same spot ever since, the only downtown church still on its original property. A little frame building was constructed at the time with a seating capacity of 300. The building was dedicated on October 27, 1889.
As the congregation began to grow with the expanding city, a larger brick church was built and dedicated on June 5, 1904. The beautiful stained glass windows of Harris Hall were installed at that time. And educational building was added in 1927.
During World War II, First Church opened a Serviceman’s Center to reach out to the many service men and women who flooded Oklahoma City from the nearby bases. On some weekends as many as 200 young men were housed in the homes of church members, fed breakfast and taken to Sunday morning worship service. Other outreach ministries included Sunday schools in “Packingtown” and at the Crippled Children’s Hospital.
As a result of urban flight in the 1960s, First Church experienced a period of severe decline. This decline began to turn around under the leadership of Rev. Nick Harris who was appointed to First Church in 1982.
April 19, 1995 is a day that will live in infamy with the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building directly across the street from the church. The church was significantly damaged and the congregation was forced to worship at another location for three years before moving back into a newly constructed sanctuary on Easter Sunday in 1998. In 2000 the church completed the construction of a new education facility, and the remodelling of the old historic sanctuary, converting it into a beautiful fellowship hall.
Focused on Our Future...
Today, First Church is a thriving United Methodist congregation with a mission for ministry in downtown Oklahoma City. The decision NOT to leave the downtown area after the bombing continues to inspire our commitment to “fulfill our destiny” on this particular corner of 4th and Robinson. The banner that was hung on our church within 36 hours of the bombing declared our spirit to all the world: “OUR GOD REIGNS AND WE WILL REMAIN.”
We believe it is our destiny to be Christ’s heart in the heart of the city. Specific ministries that address the needs of the downtown community include:
1) LOAVES AND FISHES – A Thursday noon Bible Study
2) CELEBRATE RECOVERY – A special 12 step ministry of hope and victory over life’s “hurts, habits, and hang-ups.”
3) FC WEDNESDAY NIGHTS – Our Wednesday night program of equipping and empowering the laity for ministry.
In addition to these ministries we have outstanding Children and Youth ministries that make FIRST CHURCH an all-round family church as well as a place for today’s urban singles. As more and more people move into the downtown area, First Church stands ready to live out its witness as a Church of REAL PEOPLE, REAL LIVES and REAL LOVE. Our mission is clear: “To help people find real life through the real love of Jesus.”