Tulsa Church Leaders Reflect On Race Massacre For ‘Unity Faith Day’

Churches around Oklahoma are reflecting on the history of the Greenwood community this weekend.

The pews were packed Sunday with people from all backgrounds to celebrate Unity Faith Day.

“There were originally 23 churches prior to the Tulsa Race Massacre,” Praise Center Family Church pastor Stephen Wiley said. “Thirteen of those churches are still in existence today.”

Wiley said Unity Faith Day is to commemorate those churches. He said more than 1,000 churches are participating in sharing the history of Black Wall Street and discusses how to heal from the massacre. 

“Black churches, white churches, Native American churches, Asian churches, Baptist, Methodists, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, everybody came together,” Wiley said.

Political leaders and activists attended church services in Tulsa. First Baptist Church North Tulsa pastor Anthony Scott said Black Wall Street might’ve fallen, but faith is always standing.

“I think it’s great to remember,” Scott said. “I think it’s great that information about the massacre is being certainly shared across the country, as horrible as it is, but I also think it’s very important to not only be nostalgic, but we certainly want to foster hope to the future.”

First Baptist Church North Tulsa is the oldest Black church in the city.

“We were right on the border between north and south,” Scott said. “Because of that, the rioters, those who were burning, looked at it and thought our church, unfortunately, looked too nice to be a Black church, so they bypassed it.” 

First Baptist Church North Tulsa became a safe haven for the city’s Black community following the massacre. Scott said it serves that same purpose today for anyone in need of help. 

There will be a dedication for a prayer wall at Vernon AME Church beginning at 10 a.m. Monday.