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Leland Clegg United Methodist Church

Leland Clegg United Methodist Church

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Built: 1963 | Abandoned: 2017
Status: Demolished
Photojournalist: Michael Schwarz
Leland Clegg United Methodist Church
Leland Clegg Methodist Church ca. January 27, 1965

Leland Clegg Memorial Methodist later known as Lelang Clegg United Methodist Church was named to honor Rev. Dr. Leland Clegg. Dr. Leland Clegg served the Oklahoma Conference for fourteen total years spending nine of those as superintendent of the North OKC District. During his time as superintendent, he was responsible for establishing twenty new congregations in the area. Thus it felt appropriate to name the church after such an influential character. In 1963 the land was purchased for the new Methodist church and Rev. Douglas McPherson was appointed pastor. Since a building had not yet been constructed the first service was held in the middle of an Army barracks field. Baskets from a kitchen served as offering plates, they made do with what they had while awaiting completion of their building. In the fall of 1963, after $58,000 and months of hard work, those dreams came true with the completion of the sanctuary and a few classrooms. Members of the congregation were responsible for finishing the interior, working from dawn to 11:00 p.m. the day before the inaugural service. Just as they were about to leave, Rev. McPherson called them back and said, “Our first service here needs to be with this group.”  So the very first service in the new building was Holy Communion that night. The official opening day service was held on September 8, 1963, with a full sanctuary of ninety people in attendance and thirteen becoming members at the end.

Leland Clegg United Methodist Church
Rising high in the sky is this giant wooden cross at Leland Clegg Memorial Methodist Church erected this week as members of the church celebrated its fifth year. ca. September 23, 1968 Jack Hammett

Just two short years later the congregation grew to a size of more than a hundred members. The Leland Clegg Methodist Church was one of the first racially integrated United Methodist Churches in Oklahoma City and continued to foster inclusion of all God’s children. One of the most inclusive congregations in the area at the time welcoming all people regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, education level, or any other distinction that may divide the Christian community. Even welcoming animals into the sanctuary for an annual blessing of the pets service. They diligently proved the United Methodist motto of “Open hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” to be true for everyone.

Around 2013 the Epworth United Methodist congregation was concerned over their aging building and had started the search for another building to have a future in. In 2014 talks with the Lelang Clegg congregation began about a possible merger. Both congregations recognized the “Open hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” motto of inclusivity to any and everyone. Thus the two congregations welcomed each other with open arms residing in the building that the Leland Clegg congregation had been in for the last sixty years. The church and congregation decided on a new name, the Mosiac United Methodist Church.

“We believe by joining together we can create a congregation that is even more prophetic, more emphatic about the sacredness of all of God’s creation, and one that will challenge all to live a life of radical grace and acceptance. It is our belief that in combining the many gifts and talents in the individual churches we will be better equipped to fully answer the challenges of God’s call for full inclusion and being and creating the kingdom of God.”

It wasn’t long after that the newly formed congregation began looking for a new location to accommodate the bigger numbers of attendees. June of 2017 Mosaic relocated to share space with OKC-Mayfair Heights’ United Methodist Church, at 3131 NW 50th. This led to the property on Hefner Road to become vacant after the deconsecration service was done and farewells were bid. The property was sold and left vacant for the next three years until its fateful demolition on August 3rd, 2020.

Demolition

Leland Clegg United Methodist Church
Demolition September, 2020

Photographer’s note: Sometimes it seems like history is well preserved but other times it can disappear fast. I first discovered this church driving by on my way home from work in August, 2020. I was drawn in by the 4 crosses located in the front and the stained glass windows. After some digging I was notified it was about to be demolished. 2 weeks later, it was torn down in less than 2 days. Today, when you take the Hefner exit on the 235 in Oklahoma City, you will see an empty plot of land. History disappears every day and will be lost forever if we aren’t looking.

Article by AOK Photojournalists Emily Cowan and Michael Schwarz.




Bibliography

“13 Sep 1963, 35 – Oklahoma City Star at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/604345243/?terms=leland%20clegg%20church&match=1.

“22 Jan 1965, 1 – Oklahoma City Star at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/604048786/?terms=leland%20clegg%20church&match=1.

“27 Jun 2007, 39 – The Daily Oklahoman at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/452758450/?terms=leland%20clegg%20church&match=1.

“4 Oct 1963, 9 – Oklahoma City Star at Newspapers.com.” Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/604346344/?terms=leland%20clegg%20church&match=1.

“As One Door Closes, Another Opens in OKC.” The Oklahoma Conference, www.okumc.org/newsdetail/as-one-door-closes-another-opens-in-okc-10083129.

“Mosaic United Methodist Church.” Mosaic United Methodist Church – OKC – Oklahoma City Oklahoma, mosaicokc.org/our_history.

Miller, Joe. [Photograph 2012.201.B0971.0200]photographJanuary 27, 1965; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1294342/accessed November 17, 2020), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

Hammett, Jack. [Photograph 2012.201.B0971.0198]photographSeptember 23, 1968; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1302818/accessed November 17, 2020), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

Leland Clegg United Methodist Church
Michael Schwarz

Starting from a young age, I’ve always loved exploring. I can remember venturing off and scoping out the houses being built in the developing neighborhood right behind my house. As I got older, I found myself appreciating the work and love that went into architecture and just being excited to pass by the beautifully designed places in downtown.

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Michael Schwarz

Starting from a young age, I’ve always loved exploring. I can remember venturing off and scoping out the houses being built in the developing neighborhood right behind my house. As I got older, I found myself appreciating the work and love that went into architecture and just being excited to pass by the beautifully designed places in downtown.

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Marcia Gailene Smith
Marcia Gailene Smith
3 years ago

My family moved to southern Edmond about 1970. We were delighted to find Leland Clegg! I guess it was only about five years, but it seemed like more. Since then, every church we visited, we compared to Clegg; it was what a church should be! New ideas were tried, opposite opinions were accepted and we all were still friends. We loved it and hated to move.

Leea Hudman
Leea Hudman
3 years ago

My twin sisters went to Mother’s Day out in that building around 1970.

Billie Cockrell
Billie Cockrell
3 years ago

He was just one among many of our great Methodist Leaders. Remembering him.

Mark Sewell
Mark Sewell
3 years ago

I remember when i was first started, the area around it was just beginning to be developed. The neighborhood changed and the church never grew as was expected and struggled for many years. It finally merged with another UMC newchurch start now meeting in MayFair Heights UMC, and is now known as MOSICAC.

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