TIMELINE: First Church of Christ the Scientist building's history, as Holy Family plans its future

We're getting a better look at what Holy Family Cathedral plans to do with the First Church of Christ the Scientist building it bought at 10th and Boulder. News On 6's Sam Carrico spoke to a Tulsa historian about the building's history and how that could shape its future.

The building has been here for over a hundred years, and Holy Family says they're excited to continue its legacy.

For more than a century, the First Church of Christ the Scientist building has been an icon of downtown Tulsa.

"With the 10 pillars on the outside, it gives it a very governmental feel. And so you can kind of see that Greek-Roman look to it. And of course, it's made of stone, so something that would last a very long time," said Patrick McNicholas.

He's a Tulsa historian and says the legacy goes back to the early days of downtown.

"The first city street sign, 1936, was actually placed here by the mayor, and you can still see remnants on this corner, that little concrete slab," he said.

Conduction began in 1917, and its first service was Easter Sunday in 1923. It closed in 2022 and was later bought by investors looking to turn it into a concert venue.

"I really think the building could be anything, you know, but we're glad that it stays within this same district and stays within the faith," said McNicholas.

Now, it'll continue to be a church, at least in some capacity.

"We know that we want to use the building and the land for expansion of our school, and we just don't know what that's going to look like yet," said Father Brian O'Brien of Holy Family.

He says they plan to use one of the existing parking lots for church parking. The other lot will become a green space.

O'Brien says this space will help them keep up with a growing church.

"There's a sense of like, well, where are we gonna put everybody? You know, our school enrollment is up 100 kids over last year. Well, where are we going to put all those kids? This starts to answer that question," he said.

Holy Family says renovations will begin next week.

Timeline of the building's history, courtesy of Tulsa Past:

1. The Church of Christ, Scientist was started in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy.
2. Came to Tulsa in 1902 as a society. It became a church in 1908.
3. In 1915, a leading member of the church who visited Tulsa said that nearly four congregations were being organized per week.
4. The building at 10th and Boulder was built by Courtland L. Butler from PA starting in 1917.
5. First service was held on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1923.
6. By 1938, there were a total of three churches and one Christian Science society.
7. By 1966, 5 other Christian Science locations and a total of 48 church and societies in Oklahoma.
8. By 2008, a total of 6 other churches were started from this first.
9. Sept 2017: Tulsa Cathedral District was formed.
10. Oct 2022: closure of Tulsa Christian Scientist Church.
11. June 2025: Bought by Holy Family.