Piece of history in Oklahoma City demolished to debris, rubble
The First Christian Church, also known as the Egg Church, was torn down on Monday.
The First Christian Church, also known as the Egg Church, was torn down on Monday.
The First Christian Church, also known as the Egg Church, was torn down on Monday.
A piece of history in Oklahoma City has been demolished.
The First Christian Church, also known as the Egg Church, was torn down on Monday. It left many in the community shocked.
The church sits on Walker Avenue and Northwest 36thStreet. Emotions ran high as what used to be a landmark in the city is now debris and rubble.
"I want to apologize to the people of Oklahoma City and I think that the city owes us an apology," said Mark Faulk, a local activist.
It was a place of refuge during the Oklahoma City bombing, a place of worship in the city, and a place people recognize.
"We drove by it yesterday, and I saw it and the sunset and thought, ‘I need to take another picture of it, but, nah, it’ll be there tomorrow,’" Faulk said.
It was gone in minutes. The city told KOCO 5 that a permit was filed to destroy the church on Friday and approved Monday morning.
"You get it approved at 8:01 and they’re tearing it down at 8:02. These buildings are unique in the entire world. There’s not another building like it in the entire world and as we bulldoze all of our history in Oklahoma City. We’re taking our character away," Faulk said.
There are decades of memories.
"I actually went to Pre-K and Kindergarten in this building, so I’m heartbroken on a personal memory level," said Molly McBride, neighborhood association resident in Crown Heights and Edgemere Heights.
It was also a safe haven during Oklahoma’s darkest hour. The First Christian Church sets a standard and is more than just a building to many.
"Man, I wish somebody had tried harder. It really would add a lot of pain to what’s already a painful loss in the city to see something come in that doesn’t reflect the character of the neighborhood," McBride said.
Residents in the area said their plan is to make sure their voices are heard as development plans begin.
"I hope that looking forward our city council and the people in charge in Oklahoma City will stop and think about what makes the city special, and it’s not another condo project, and it’s not another convenience store, and it’s not another Starbucks," Faulk said.