Prayer Tower, Tulsa

Rising 200 feet into the Oklahoma sky, the Prayer Tower stands as the spiritual and architectural centerpiece of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. Designed by Tulsa architect Frank Wallace and completed in 1967, the tower reflects bold Googie architecture, drawing visual parallels to the Space Needle with its futuristic flair, glass and steel composition, and striking white, gold, and black palette.

More than just a landmark, the Prayer Tower is layered with Christian symbolism. Positioned at the heart of campus, it represents the central role of prayer in university life. From above, its disc-and-spindle structure resembles the Star of David, while from any ground-level angle, it echoes the form of a cross. An eternal flame at the tower’s peak signifies the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the latticework around the observation deck-crafted in part from white PVC pipe-symbolizes Christ’s Crown of Thorns, with red accents representing his shed blood.

The surrounding Ralph L. Reece Memorial Gardens provide a tranquil setting, featuring bronze sculptures of Jesus and two students by artist Beverly Paddleford. These figures offer a visual reminder of ORU’s mission: students learning at the feet of Christ to discover God’s will.

Inside the tower, a recently renovated prayer room accommodates different styles of worship: from individual reflection to corporate prayer gatherings. A world map fosters a global perspective, and a handcrafted cross by ORU’s art department keeps Christ’s sacrifice front and center. Throughout the day, prayer themes shift-from global intercession to petitions for military personnel and student-submitted requests from around the world.

The Prayer Tower is not only an emblem of ORU’s faith-driven vision but also a Tulsa landmark that invites visitors-students, pilgrims, and curious tourists alike-to look upward and inward.