Downtown church to become Race Riot Memorial museum

The pastor of the Vernon AME church says his congregation has agreed to move out and make way for a museum. <br><br>The Tulsa Race Riot Commission is going ahead with plans for a museum to remember the

Monday, April 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The pastor of the Vernon AME church says his congregation has agreed to move out and make way for a museum.

The Tulsa Race Riot Commission is going ahead with plans for a museum to remember the 1921 race riots. The church in the Greenwood District holds historical significance. It was heavily damaged during the riots more than 80-years ago.

Land adjacent to the church has already been secured as a memorial site. Pastor Dr Isaac Hudson says the church is a natural for the memorial to honor the estimated 300 people who died in the Greenwood District.
"There's a memorial in place in OKC from the Oklahoma bombing. Memorials have been built all over this nation in commemoration of some atrocity and we need to do the same."

Converting the church will cost about $2-million. Officials aren't sure where the money will come from. The deal now goes to the Tulsa Development Authority for approval.