First Christian Church
701 D Ave., Lawton, OKThe First Christian Church is significant because it is the best example of Gothic Revival style architecture in Southwest Oklahoma.
The architect, W.T. Vahlberg, was a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and came to Oklahoma to practive his profession. He designed several churches in the state. One of his best designs is Lawton's First Christian Church. Designed in the Gothic Revival style, the building was constructed in 1928. However, it burned shortly after completion. In 1929 the structure was rebuilt in accordance with the original plans. The 10 stained glass windows and the rose window are outstanding features of the building, and they are the most impressive such windows to be found in a church in southwestern Oklahoma.
The building has a unity and consistency of style from the exterior to the interior. It is the best example of Gothic Revival style architecture in Lawton and the southwestern region of Oklahoma. The Gothic arch is a dominant feature throughout the structure.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.