Our Story
History of SHBC Tulsa, Oklahoma
Southern Hills Baptist Church was founded January 17, 1915 as Bethel Baptist Church following a meeting of the delegates of First Baptist Church of Tulsa, OK who were led by Pastor L. E. Floyd. The meeting was held at the Bethel Union School House located at 51st and Lewis Ave. At the first meeting, articles of faith and a church covenant were adopted along with the times of meeting being the first and third Sundays of each month. The Reverend James T. Brattin of Barry Co., Mo. was elected moderator and George Lane of Tulsa, appointed church clerk. Following the meeting the 21 area families were presented as founding membership.
The church continued to meet at Bethel Union School House until 1924 when the congregation voted to purchase 2 ½ acres of land on the southeast corner of 51st and Lewis Ave. A brown brick two story building was constructed that would serve as the place of worship for the members of Bethel Baptist Church for the next 32 years. The church survived tough times during the depression of the 1930’s and the 2nd World War. During this period, pastors were hard to find and keep.
Between 1942 and 1952, many changes occurred. There was a mortgage burning in 1944; installation of the first organ in1947; a parsonage was built on the property in 1950; the first church bus purchased in 1950; the first library started in 1952; and later, in December, 1954, due to a changing world, the first locks were installed on the church building.
The first mention of a possible move to a new location was made in January, 1952 and a committee was appointed to seek a location. A five acre parcel of land at 56th and Lewis Avenue, just a half mile south, was purchased in 1955 for a new building and the name was changed on May 1, 1955 from Bethel Baptist Church to Southern Hills Baptist Church. June 8, 1955 began a period of worship in the “Canvas Cathedral” as the church purchased a 50’ x 80’ tent for use during the transitional period. The old Bethel Baptist Church site was sold in November 1955 to George Fikes of Fikes Food Stores. Ground breaking for a new sanctuary and educational space at 56th and Lewis took place on April 15, 1956.
1963 began a period in which Southern Hills Baptist Church was blessed with outstanding pastoral leadership. A young outspoken Baptist preacher from Frederick, OK, Doug Manning, served as pastor from 1963 to 1973. Dr. Clyde Lee Herring served as pastor from 1974 to 1985. Followed by pastors Charlie Baker and then Dr. Peter McLeod.
In January, 1988, a Facilities Research Committee was selected to develop a long term facilities plan. The plan which included a new sanctuary was approved in December 1988. First services in the new sanctuary were held on December 8, 1991.
Dr. William L. “Hess” Hester, Jr. accepted the call as senior pastor for the church in July 1997 and continues to serve in that capacity at Southern Hills Baptist Church today.
We are grateful for the many ways that God has been at work in and through the people of SHBC over the years. We are thankful for the faithfulness of so many people who have selflessly served and given of themselves throughout our history. Today, as we look toward the future, God continues to expand the vision of our church to be a compelling force for God in our city and far beyond. Our greatest desire is to be a place of healing grace where we see lives being transformed daily in Christ.
