Where Are You?

Here's To You, Mrs. Robinson

This lofty landmark is both a religious center and an iconic film backdrop.

By MIA CANTU
Published January/February 2012

In 1982, one of the United States’ greatest examples of ecclesiastical art deco design served as a backdrop in the film The Outsiders. Like the greasers in the movie, it has endured its fair share of hard times.

After outgrowing their third building in the mid-1920s, the leaders of a local congregation decided to create a larger facility. Building Committee chairman and wealthy businessman C.C. Cole looked to his wife Audrey for help. She turned to local art instructor Adah Robinson, who drew the building sketches. Under Robinson’s supervision, the Rush, Endacott, and Rush architectural firm took on the project, and the soon-to-be-famous Bruce Goff drafted the design plans for this 255-foot-tall church that cost more than a million dollars to construct.

Built amid the optimism of the oil boom, the church fell on tough times after the stock market crashed in 1929. Cole found himself struggling to make his payments. To maintain his church pledge, he sold his estate, and his family moved into one of the rental properties they owned.

One day, a friend spotted Cole staring up at the church from across the street. The friend asked Cole if he wished he had his money back, to which Cole replied, “On the contrary, that’s the best money I ever spent.”

Today, the church continues to draw onlookers and devoted crowds at its sermons and community events.

What’s the name of this religious landmark and in what city is it located?

Mail entries with name and address to “Where Are You?”, P.O. Box 1468, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 or email to whereareyou@oklahomatoday.com before January 16. The answer to last issue’s contest was the Lake Overholser Bridge in Oklahoma City.