St. Paul's Methodist Church, Tulsa

Saint Paul's United Methodist Church in Tulsa has deep roots in the city’s history, tracing its origins back to 1907-the same year Oklahoma became a state. Founded by the Reverend Sylvester Morris, who established several Methodist congregations across the region, the church began humbly in a brush arbor at 14th and Rockford. Its first "structure" consisted of makeshift planks, blocks, stumps, and rocks. Over the following years, the congregation met in school basements and private homes, eventually building its first dedicated structure-a modest white church-at 14th and Quaker in 1913 under the name Orcutt Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.

As the congregation grew, both in faith and numbers, plans for a larger sanctuary were set in motion. Construction of the present-day church at 15th and Quaker began in 1920 and was completed in 1924, with the first service held that December. The chapel was formally dedicated in January 1925. Built in red brick Gothic style, the building features magnificent stained glass windows and has become a recognizable landmark in Tulsa.

Today, Saint Paul’s continues to thrive as a neighborhood church-small enough that members know each other by name, yet large enough to impact the community in meaningful ways. Aligned with Wesleyan theology, the church embraces spiritual growth, inclusive worship, and active outreach. Its ministries focus on education, poverty relief, social justice, and leadership development. With a strong spirit of hospitality and compassion, Saint Paul’s not only enriches the lives of its congregants but also extends support and solidarity beyond its walls-living out its mission to serve faithfully both locally and globally.