The Century Chest

"As the universe was once but a magnificent conception with God, so this edifice and congregation were once but a hope in the heart of some devoted Lutheran."
This was Dr. Newton Royer's opening remark as he prepared a historical account of First Lutheran's first ten years. The year was 1913, and the congregation was preparing to install a Century Chest in the basement floor of the church.

On January 12, 1902, eleven years earlier, First English Lutheran Church was officially organized with 19 charter members. The first services were held in the Court House situated on the corner of Robinson and California Streets. In March 1902, the congregation moved into the newly remodeled Campbellite church situated on N.W. 3rd, just west of Harvey. In 1912, the congregation moved into a new edifice at the corner of N.W. 12th and Robinson, which continues to be the center of worship to this very day.

As mentioned earlier, a Century Chest was installed on April 22, 1913. The chest had a two-fold purpose: to raise money to pay half of the cost of the Moeller Organ (the other half of the $3,200 was donated by Andrew Carnegie) and to raise public awareness of the energy and enthusiasm of the church's members. The chest was unearthed on April 22, 2013.

In the years that followed, the church experienced gradual, continual growth until the late 1950s when average Sunday attendance reached approximately 275, caused in part by having sponsored sixty displaced families from Europe. By the early 1960s, the congregation began to experience a leveling off of membership. The Chancel, Sanctuary, and organ were renovated in 1960, and the Parish Building and parking lot were added in 1965.

In 1972, Lutheran Brotherhood designated First Lutheran as a landmark church and wrote, "Despite the problem of central city population shifts and the lure of the suburbs, . . . First Church has a field to harvest and a community to bless where it is now, Close by the skyscrapers."

On Sunday, January 12, 1992, 90 years to the day of organizing, First voted to join the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations. From the beginning, First Lutheran Church of Oklahoma City has existed to provide a biblical Lutheran witness. Our purpose has remained to be faithful in our Lord's work.

To God be the Glory!

Learn more about about the Century Chest and its contents at the Oklahoma Historical Society website.