Met History
During the early 1900s, founding pastors were greeted with financial struggles that eventually forced the church to briefly close its doors.
The Metropolitan Baptist Church Historical Timeline
Under Rev. J.W. Bryant, the church moves to a converted apartment building at 1018 North Lansing. Six years later the church goes bankrupt and doors are locked. Members move into a new structure fit with offices, classrooms, plus, an apartment for the pastor Church members donate hours constructing a second-level structure. Metropolitan’s attendance grows even larger during the 1950s and 60s – forcing leaders to plan for a new building. Urban Renewal forces the church to relocate. Under Rev. C.L. West, a down payment of $10,000 is made toward the purchase of a new church building at 4025 North Hartford. Rev. West plays a huge role in getting the build’s total cost reduced from $85,000 to $80,000. Updated church renovations on Hartford includes a kitchen, ladies lounge, nursery and library. Rev. West retires after 40 years of dedicated service and is called home one year later. Rev. Henry Collier becomes Metropolitan’s seventh pastor. Rev. Collier dies after serving more than 25 years at The Met. Rev. Dr. Ray A. Owens becomes the eighth pastor. He is officially installed five months later. Pastor Owens launches a $90,000 capital campaign celebrating The Met’s 90th anniversary and exceeds the goal. More than a dozen initiatives are launched including Wednesday Night Worship (WOW), the Young Adult Ministry, annual relationship conferences and music workshops featuring national gospel recording artists.
Metropolitan Baptist Church is established by Rev. J.F. Kirsh in a small north Tulsa house near the 800 block of Haskell Street.
The church reopens under Rev. N.G. Randall, while proceeding to liquidate debt. Randall works to save the church while maintaining pastoral duties.
Rev. W.L. Anderson, Metropolitan’s fifth pastor, continues struggling with the church’s debt as the nation endures the Great Depression. Despite the hardship, church attendance begins growing.
Financial setbacks end with the arrival of Rev. C.L. West. In a short period of time, renovations begin, membership increases to 14 worshipers with bills being paid on time.
The Mortgage is paid off under Rev. H.L. Collier with more than a dozen new ministries added. During this time, church members agreed on building a new church. Land is purchased on the hill for new construction on Apache street.
