The White Temple

An expansive and striking church edifice, boldly built by a passionate pastor and his flourishing flock.

An gleaming white building entered through tall Doric columns, with a lighted dome illuminating the night sky.

Surely this structure would stand on its busy corner until Jesus comes!

Sadly the wrecking ball came first.

The Short Life of the Most Expensive Church in Oklahoma City 

In November 1904, pastor Henry Alford Porter began his tenure leading First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. First Baptist was quickly outgrowing their building on NW Second. Earlier in the year, the city lowered the grade of Second Steet, giving churchgoers a steep climb to attend services. Porter knew that a new church building was needed to further the church’s growth and mission and implored his parishioners to, “Talk it up!, Work it up! Pray it up! Pay it up!” And that they did! Porter began publishing Church Echoes, a monthly newsletter, to raise money and promote his vision for a new grand church building. In the pews, a special “White Offering” was made every Sunday, stuffed in large white envelopes for a church that would eventually be known as The White Temple.  

The church’s deacons officially approved a new building in 1905---and not a moment too soon! The building at NW Second and Broadway went up in flames on Valentines’ Day 1906. Nearby churches lent their space, and services eventually moved to the Overholser Opera House, but the movement for a church was more fervent than ever.  

But where to build? There were as many opinions as members, but Rev. Porter wanted to plant the church in “the midst of humanity”. A lot on the northwest corner of Third and Broadway would bring the White Temple to a noisy, busy corridor along the original streetcar line. Rev. Porter advocated for a striking look for the church, an all-white Doric-style building, with a lighted dome. He further insisted that Doric architecture would be the cheapest option. Deacons began selling off lots, made an offer on 401 North Broadway, and voted to keep the new building’s price tag at $28,000.  

Funding problems began almost immediately. Money was due to various builders, tradesmen, and suppliers weekly, and the church frequently found itself overdrawn. Various elements, like the dome, top-of-the-line organ, and white exterior, were deemed too expensive, but their supporters fought to keep them. The church had its first service in September of 1906, with a formal dedication on Easter 1907. When the Temple was finally finished, its price tag exceeded $100,000 ($3.2 million today), and without warning Rev. Henry Porter left for a new church calling in November 1907.  

Things deteriorated quickly, several pastors came and left, and the church found itself with $46,000 of debt. The building needed constant repairs, and the busy area and streetcar noise drowned out speakers. There was no room to grow on the lot and bills kept mounting. The only outlet left to the deacons was to sell the building and start over. The church was sold to a Masonic order for $150,000 in January 1910. First Baptist then began its second building project in five years. They settled on a neogothic building at NW Twelfth and Robinson, still in use today.  

The now-dubbed “Masonic Temple” was dedicated on June 24, 1912. It was home to a dozen Masonic orders, though many started their own lodges as the city grew. In 1925, Western Union acquired the land with plans to build a new four-story office. The White Temple, only nineteen years old, was razed to accommodate Oklahoma City's growing business district. Rev. Porter’s $100,000 dream was no more. 

"Baptist Church Open to Public." The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) March 25th 1912. .10.

"Dedication of Temple June 14." The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) April 14th 1912. .16.

"White Temple is the Name." The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) October 6th 1906. .12.

"White Temple Opens Doors Today." The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) September 23rd 1906. .9.

"White Temple to Be Opened." The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) September 20th 1906. .8.

"Dome on the White Temple." Oklahoma Baptist Bulletin (Norman) June 1st 1906. .4.

Blackburn, Bob. Turner, Alvin. First Family. Edition First. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. SafeSport Publishing, 1990.

Brown, Malinda. Lighthouse on the Corner. Edition First. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Century Press Publishers, 1964.

"Old Masonic Temple Soon To Be Torn Down." The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) July 15th 1925. .4.

"Western Union Leases Corner Site for Home." The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) July 15th 1925. .1.