1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and CME Church

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ancestors were beaten, spat on, hosed down, whipped, hung, and died so you could be where you are today. So, do not allow what your ancestors endured to be in vain. Keep pushing. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said: “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” Men of Valor keep moving forward. You cannot stop now. Your sons and daughters are watching you. Your significant other is watching you. Your mother and father are watching you. The world is watching you. Continue to rise and move forward. Be courageous. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.”

In closing, “be encouraged no matter what’s going on. He’ll make it alright, but you gotta stay strong.” Remember, Men of Valor, sometimes you have to encourage yourself and pat yourself on the back.

Your black Queens are praying for you and encouraging you, so keep moving forward!

THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE AND THE CME CHURCH

BROWN CHAPEL CME (COLORED) and CHRIST TEMPLE CME (CHRISTIAN) CHURCH

Submitted by Pastor Robert Givens

The long and tumultuous history of Christ Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church had its beginning in 1905. Several CME members who migrated to what was then known as the Indian Territory found no church home for their preferred denomination. There are no records available of the early Church, but it has been stated that an organizational meeting was held in a tent harbor on East Cameron Street. As far as we can ascertain, this was officially administered by a Bishop or a Presiding Elder. The name given the Church was BROWN CHAPEL COLORED METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The charter members were: Mesdames Elizabeth Cherry, Grace Rollerson, Mamie Hutcherson, Emma Adams, Winnie Blakely, Anna Carter, Elzanie Greer Grant, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Ellis, Mr. A. W. Ross, and Mr. George Jasper. The first pastor was Reverend J. W. McGee.

The location of Brown Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was in the BLACK WALL STREET AREA, 309 North Frankfort Place. After struggling some years with faith and hard work, a small frame building was finally erected. ON JUNE 1, 1921, not long after the Church was completed, it was destroyed by fire during The Tulsa Race Massacre. The cause of the fire was a racial conflict which resulted from a breakdown in human relations. With a group of courageous members, a second church project was undertaken. This was a difficult undertaking, because many of the members had to replace homes and other belongings.

The Church’s location remained the same. On June 26, 1925, it was completed and dedicated. In 1928, the name Brown Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was changed to Christ Temple Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1954, the name colored was changed to Christian.

With the help and support of Attorney B. C. (Buck) Franklin paying out of his own private funds, the mortgage was paid in full in 1943. Attorney Franklin and his family were members of Christ Temple. Attorney Franklin was the first Negro to sit on a District Court Bench in the State of Oklahoma. He practiced law in Tulsa, Oklahoma for over fifty years. In memory of Attorney B.C. and Mrs. Mollie Lee Franklin, a church library was established in their name.

On Saturday night, April 17, 1960, after the close of Holy Week Service, the Church was struck by a tornado which damaged it beyond repair. After six years of planning, effort, and unfaltering trust in God, Christ Temple moved into the new church building at 2802 North Lewis Avenue. The dedication was held on January 22, 1967.

Christ Temple became a site for a freedom school in 1971 (1971-72 academic year), when Carver Junior High School was closed because of desegregation. In 2004, the Church allowed the use of our building for a private Christian Elementary School, SOLID FOUNDATION PREPARTORY ACADEMY, INC. In 2006, we began our partnership with ANDERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Christ Temple continues to grow in faith, which steadies the course, giving the assurance that the same God who led the pioneers, shepherds Christ Temple today. WE ARE STILL STANDING BY FAITH!

For more information, visit: https://religionnews.com/2021/05/19/100-years-later-black-church-leadersseek-reparations-for-tulsa-massacre/.

Historic Christ Temple CME Church (above left); Attorney B.C. Franklin (above center); Mrs. Mollie Lee Franklin (above right)

Modern Christ Temple CME Church (left)

"Don't rush the process. Allow yourself to grow at your own pace. Stop comparing your life to what other people are doing."

--Khadijah Karriem