If you’ve ever driven down NW 178th Street in Edmond, Oklahoma, then you’ve noticed an odd shaped church that has been sadly withering away since the 1980s. The church has become known as the “Tepee Church” due to its unique resemblance to an American Indian tepee.
The church is called Hopewell Baptist Church and was designed in the 1950s by the famous architect Bruce Goff.
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But the fascinating part is that the members voluntarily built the whole church by themselves. Because most of them worked in the oil fields, leftover materials were used from the oil industry. You’ll notice drill pipes on the exterior walls and pie tins on the interior lighting features.
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The conical ceiling inside is extraordinary. Some say this church was Goff’s most transformative design.
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Time Magazine featured this little church in a 1955 issue for forward-thinking organic architecture.
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The baptismal area still has the scenic tiles above the area.
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The interior shape of many rooms are still standing but are in disrepair.
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Although the church has been sadly withering away, it received a new roof in 2014 and hopes to raise enough funds for a complete restoration.
Lynnes Lens/Flickr via okcmod.com
Hopewell Baptist Church is located at 5801 NW 178 Street, Edmond, Oklahoma, 73012.
Lynnes Lens/Flickr via okcmod.com
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If you would like more information on helping restore this church, you can visit their website here.
Another unique piece of architecture in Oklahoma that is sadly withering away is the 1920s abandoned Fairfax mansion. You can read more about it here.
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