Finial Spires At Historic Parish Of Christ The King Church In Tulsa, Oklahoma Stock Image

Tulsa, Oklahoma is ground zero for not only some of the finest architecture in America but also contains so many jewels of art deco design as that wonderful design period corresponds with Tulsa’s “oil boom.” This is one of those gems, The Parish of Christ the King Church.Founding Bishop Kelley admired the work of Francis Barry Byrne, former partner of Frank Lloyd Wright. Although still not complete and having been in use for several months, Christ the King was formally dedicated three years and one day after groundbreaking on May 13, 1928. The altar is carved limestone and Emil Frei, Inc., designed the mosaic of Christ which is empanelled behind it. Tulsa architect Bruce Goff designed the mosaics at the two side altars. The stained glass windows designed by Alfonso Lannelli and produced by the Temple Art Glass Company of Chicago, are described in Liturgical Arts Magazine as ranking “among the best to be found in the United States.” In the 1920’s, Christ the King Church was considered innovative and, to some, radical as it is a combination of Gothic, Byzantine and Art Deco architecture.