Baptists dedicate new building at OU
NORMAN — Oklahoma Baptists held a homecoming of their own during the University of Oklahoma's homecoming weekend Oct. 18-20.
Baptists from different generations gathered Oct. 18 to dedicate the new Baptist Collegiate Ministries building on the OU campus.
“When I look out over the many generations that are here, I just think we are a part of a bigger story that you've been writing on this campus for years and years,” Brent
Jenkins, OU BCM associate director, told the crowd.
The two-story building, roughly 26,600 square feet at 1203 N Elm, includes an expansive lobby area, bookstore, office, kitchen, meeting/ study rooms and a 500-seat auditorium/worship space with state-of-the-art audiovisual. A coffee shop-cafe offers a wide selection of coffee beverages and provides space for students to gather for study and relaxation.
It was formerly the site of a parking lot, and several Baptist leaders said it is in a strategic
1950-1952; Mona Preuss, organist from 1977-1994; Ron Davis, organist from 1994-2004; and Steve Thompson, who served from 2004-2009.
Combined, the organists represent almost 70 years of ministry.
“I'm just thrilled to have them all together,” McConnell said. “To have 69 years of organists playing that evening is quite exciting. This may never happen again.”
McConnell said church leaders were excited when their former church musicians agreed to be part of the special recital. Of the six, only two including himself still live in the metro area. Like McConnell, Thompson lives in Oklahoma City, where he serves as organist for Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Riess will be returning to the metro area from her home in Las Vegas, while Preuss currently lives in
Kansas City, Missouri. Davis agreed to come from his home in Clinton, South Carolina.
McConnell said it will be a pleasure to usher in a celebratory atmosphere on “a beautiful instrument” like the church's organ. He said it is a 104-rank Casavant pipe organ with four manuals and more than 5,800 pipes. It was installed in 1988 to commemorate the church's centennial.
Other activities
First Baptist will continue anniversary activities on Nov. 3, with church tours and a Homecoming Luncheon after worship services. The historic church was formed on Nov. 2, 1889, when a group of Baptists voted to organize a church that was to be called The First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City. The current sanctuary at the corner of NW 11 and Robinson Avenue was built in 1912.
The church's current senior pastor, the Rev. Sarah Stewart, was installed in 2018.