A landmark structure in Okarche, St. John’s Lutheran Church is one of the oldest Lutheran churches in Oklahoma.

It was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places and a celebration to commemorate the honor will be held Sunday, May 19, beginning at 9:30 a.m at the church.

A program administered through the National Park Service, the National Register of Historic Places works to identify America’s historic sites and protect and preserve them for future generations.

It’s not an easy task to be included on the National Register, local Centennial Celebration Committee chairperson Kim Ahlden said.

With the honor, St. John’s will now be listed among other significant historic sites throughout the nation, Ahlden added.

Established in 1892, St. John’s current building, located on Fourth Street and West Colorado Avenue, was dedicated on June 11, 1922.

A bronze plaque designating its place on the National Register of Historic Places will be presented to the church at the celebration and the Oklahoma Historical Society will also be on hand to present certificates designating St. John’s as a new listing in its records.

Additionally, to commemorate the occasion, St. John’s Lutheran Church recently placed a 12-foot-tall granite cross on the front lawn along with a 5-foot-wide matching bench, which will also be dedicated at the May 19 ceremony.

The cross features a Luther rose medallion at the center of the cross and sits on a pedestal inscribed with “He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia.”

St. John’s 6,000-squarefoot building originally cost $55,000 to build and furnish.

“Builders for Christ,” a group of men from St. John’s, helped the contractor build the church and later traveled to help build other churches in the area.

Today, the original altar, organ, bell, windows, pulpit and pews remain a testament to the vision and loving efforts of that faithful congregation over 100 years ago.

The church bell was cast in 1921 at the Stuckstede Bell Foundry Company in St. Louis for $130.

Weighing in at 3,000 pounds, oxen tied to ropes and pulleys hoisted the bell into place within St. John’s 66-foot-tall bell tower.

A striking painting, “The Lord’s Ascension into Heaven,” graces a recessed area of the wall next to the pulpit, which was given as a memorial to one of the original “Builders for Christ,” H. W. Schröder, by his wife in 1937.

Among St. John’s 24 stained-glass windows are three breathtaking depictions of Jesus which captivate visitors: Jesus in Gethsemane, Jesus the Good Shepherd and Jesus Knocking at the Door.

Those adornments are just a few of the design elements that convey the beautiful historical character of the Okarche church.

As the state’s first established Lutheran congregation, St. John’s was also selected as the site of the inaugural convention for the newly-formed Oklahoma District of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in May 1924, where officers were elected and founding documents signed.

The significance of that event was also a factor taken into consideration for the inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, Ahlden said.

Inadditiontothechurch’s historic building and furnishings, Ahlden said, “A significant historical event occurred in the basement of our church 100 years ago when Lutheranism came to Oklahoma.”

The 100th anniversary of the Oklahoma District of LCMS will also be commemorated Sunday at St. John’s, the place where it all began, with over 600 guests expected to attend, Ahlden added.

“St. John’s congregation continues to lovingly care for this beautiful house of worship and they are excited to be recognized by the National Register,” pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rev. Joel Heckmann, said.

“The people of St. John’s treasure the honors bestowed on us by the National Register of Historic Places and the Oklahoma Historical Society.

“We envision many future generations worshipping in the beautiful church with which we are blessed.”