West Point Christian Church
SW of Yukon, Yukon, OKWest Point Christian Church represents nearly a century of service to the spiritual needs of a rural community. It is significant historically for the continuity of this service, especially in the face of an accelerating trend away from the small country church. It is also significant for its architecture - quite modest, completely traditional, inside and out, and excepting a recent addition attached tangentially to the back, remarkably well preserved with almost total integrity.
This section of old Oklahoma was opened to settlement in the Run of 1889. A Sunday School sprang up almost immediately. By 1890 it was housed in a "soddie" just west of the present church. When a small frame schoolhouse was erected to replace the sod structure, the Sunday School moved into it. West Point Christian Church itself was organized Sept. 6, 1894. Briefly the congregation moved to nearby Thurston, a small town that quickly died. In April 1898, and back in its former meeting place at West Point School, the congregation began a campaign for funds with which to build a proper church of its own. An acre of land east of the soddie was donated by Charles Little and the present building was largely hand-built by the congregation. It was dedicated July 3, 1899, and worship services have been conducted in it continuously since then.
Architecturally West Point is a small gem (see No. 7). On the outside, notice particularly the well proportioned cathedral windows and the traditional entry tower with its handsomely plain double doorway ... tapered bell section with cartouche, louvered window and cut-shingle ornamentation, the square pyramidal tower, shingled and topped by a cross. Inside, notice the original pine flooring, "Pullman" style wood ceiling, the solid no-nonsense pews, and the hand-carved pulpit.
Curiously, if not significantly, this final botanical note: In the "lawn" of the churchyard, beyond the imported-shrub landscaping of the church itself, native bluestem and buffalo grass survive as a striking link between West Point with its pioneering heritage and the virgin prairie sod on which it was built.
Local significance of the building:
This section of old Oklahoma was opened to settlement in the Run of 1889. A Sunday School sprang up almost immediately. By 1890 it was housed in a "soddie" just west of the present church. When a small frame schoolhouse was erected to replace the sod structure, the Sunday School moved into it. West Point Christian Church itself was organized Sept. 6, 1894. Briefly the congregation moved to nearby Thurston, a small town that quickly died. In April 1898, and back in its former meeting place at West Point School, the congregation began a campaign for funds with which to build a proper church of its own. An acre of land east of the soddie was donated by Charles Little and the present building was largely hand-built by the congregation. It was dedicated July 3, 1899, and worship services have been conducted in it continuously since then.
Architecturally West Point is a small gem (see No. 7). On the outside, notice particularly the well proportioned cathedral windows and the traditional entry tower with its handsomely plain double doorway ... tapered bell section with cartouche, louvered window and cut-shingle ornamentation, the square pyramidal tower, shingled and topped by a cross. Inside, notice the original pine flooring, "Pullman" style wood ceiling, the solid no-nonsense pews, and the hand-carved pulpit.
Curiously, if not significantly, this final botanical note: In the "lawn" of the churchyard, beyond the imported-shrub landscaping of the church itself, native bluestem and buffalo grass survive as a striking link between West Point with its pioneering heritage and the virgin prairie sod on which it was built.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
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.
The Cherokee Nation is headquartered in Oklahoma and is one of the largest Native American tribes in the country. The tribe has a long and complex history in Oklahoma, including the forced removal of thousands of Cherokees from their ancestral lands in the 1830s, which became known as the Trail of Tears.
About Canadian County
Canadian County Timeline
Canadian County is a county located in the state of Oklahoma in the United States. The county was established in 1889 as part of Oklahoma Territory, shortly after the Land Run of April 22, 1889. Its name is derived from the Canadian River, which runs through the county. The county seat is El Reno, which was named after Fort Reno, a historic military fort.
In the early years, Canadian County relied heavily on agriculture for its economy. Wheat, cotton, and cattle were the primary crops, and the county became known for its fertile soil and abundant water supply. With the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s, the county experienced more rapid growth and development.
During World War II, Canadian County played a significant role in supporting the war effort. El Reno was home to the Fort Reno Internment Camp, which held German prisoners of war. The county also had several military installations, such as the El Reno Naval Air Station and the Reno Army Airfield, where bomber crews were trained.
In recent years, Canadian County has experienced rapid population growth and suburbanization. The county has attracted numerous residents who work in the nearby Oklahoma City metropolitan area, seeking a more rural and peaceful lifestyle. While agriculture continues to be an important industry in the county, Canadian County has also seen the expansion of industries such as manufacturing, energy, and retail.
Overall, Canadian County has a rich history rooted in agriculture, and has adapted to changing times to become a vibrant community with a diverse economy.
In the early years, Canadian County relied heavily on agriculture for its economy. Wheat, cotton, and cattle were the primary crops, and the county became known for its fertile soil and abundant water supply. With the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s, the county experienced more rapid growth and development.
During World War II, Canadian County played a significant role in supporting the war effort. El Reno was home to the Fort Reno Internment Camp, which held German prisoners of war. The county also had several military installations, such as the El Reno Naval Air Station and the Reno Army Airfield, where bomber crews were trained.
In recent years, Canadian County has experienced rapid population growth and suburbanization. The county has attracted numerous residents who work in the nearby Oklahoma City metropolitan area, seeking a more rural and peaceful lifestyle. While agriculture continues to be an important industry in the county, Canadian County has also seen the expansion of industries such as manufacturing, energy, and retail.
Overall, Canadian County has a rich history rooted in agriculture, and has adapted to changing times to become a vibrant community with a diverse economy.
Canadian County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Canadian County, Oklahoma.
- 1890 - Canadian County is founded as a part of Oklahoma Territory.
- 1892 - The county seat is established in El Reno.
- 1902 - The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad is built through the county.
- 1909 - The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is established in Chickasha.
- 1931 - The Great Depression reaches its peak, causing economic hardship in the county.
- 1959 - The Canadian River is dammed to create Lake Overholser.
- 1986 - The Canadian County Historical Museum is opened in El Reno.
- 1999 - A tornado outbreak affects Canadian County, causing significant damage.
- 2005 - Construction of the Canadian Valley Technology Center is completed.