Magazine Features Tulsa's Art Deco

Tulsa's Art Deco architecture is getting some national exposure.  Many of the city's classic buildings are featured in this month's issue of Preservation magazine.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports Art Deco is a style popularized in the 1920's and 30's, known for bold colors and geometric designs.

A fixture of the Tulsa skyline for nearly 80 years, the Boston Avenue Methodist Church is now affixed to the cover of Preservation magazine.  The July-August issue focuses on the church, and other buildings constructed during the city's Art Deco boom in the late 20's.

"It's one of a kind. There are 38,000 United Methodist Churches in the U.S., but there is no other exactly like this one," said Dr. Mouzon Biggs of Boston Avenue Methodist Church.

Minister Mouzon Biggs and his congregation are thrilled to have made the cover.  He says the church's unique architecture has always been a point of pride.

"It's not a shame to look like other churches, but it's also wonderful to have one that doesn't look like any other church.  That makes it special for people to come and see it," said Dr. Mouzon Biggs of Boston Avenue Methodist Church.

The article chronicles the sudden influx of oil money that spawned the Art Deco craze and also features the Union Depot and other buildings like the PhilTower.

Employees there say even decades later, the architecture both outside, and in, still holds it original appeal.

"It's gorgeous. I have people come in and talk about the building. That's the first thing they mention, how beautiful the lobby is," said Arthur Smith of Double Play Promotions.

The magazine feels readers will agree and hopes the exposure reminds everyone how much of Tulsa's history is intricately tied to Art Deco, and how important preserving it is.

"Hopefully as long as there's a Tulsa, Oklahoma, there will be a Boston Avenue United Methodist Church at 13th and Boston," said Dr. Mouzon Biggs of Boston Avenue Methodist Church.

Preservationists from across the country will descend on Tulsa later this year.  The city will host the annual National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in October.