Not saying anything about lawyers. Just pointing out the fallacy of churches not judging.

If there was a "like" option on this thread and it actually worked, you'd receive a new notification from me.

To get back on subject though, it's an interesting location for a law firm and I'd like to see interior pics again when it's all done. I love Dan Davis commercials--the bad guy from Superman III, awesome!

... I love Dan Davis commercials--the bad guy from Superman III, awesome!

Robert Vaughn? Heh, when I think of him I think of The Man From UNCLE or The Protectors, not a superman movie. Just showin' my age, I guess...

Great to see this building being saved and used. Looks like it will be very nice and it's impressive they are saving the sanctuary, pews and all the history associated with the church.

Molly Fleming article:

http://www.naisullivangroup.com/OKNews/RestoringglorytoCalvaryBaptistbuilding-Workprogressesonconversiontolawoffice.pdf



Interior designer Julie Hornbeek is bringing her expertise to the project as well, including
bringing back the legendary red carpet that once lined the halls of the building.
The office spaces will have tan carpet.

The sanctuary will feature a large graphic art piece behind the choir loft that will showcase
a number of news articles highlighting the church’s ties to the civil rights movement.
Those corresponding articles will be hung throughout the building to allow people to read about the history.



http://journalrecord.com/files/2013/04/mf-calvery-baptist-church-bbf-1_04-05-13.jpg




The project is expected to be complete by the middle of May.

Hey something pretty cool happened today. I was going to meet Bradley Wynn at the Paramount for FRunch but he never showed up and around noon the sky cleared up. I walked around downtown for a couple hours and shot some photos and video of different things. When I passed by the old Calbary Baptist, one of the lead workers crossed the street and asked me if I wanted to come inside and take some photos. He said they get a lot of people coming by interested in all the construction. That rarely ever happens so I obliged. I'm glad I got the chance because this place is really coming together. The outside of the building has brand new stairs and walkway. Inside they are adding new glass to office spaces and renewing the hard wood floors. He mentioned they wanted to keep anything original to the building. I was in there for maybe thirty minutes. I'll share all that stuff later on tonight.

Hey something pretty cool happened today. I was going to meet Bradley Wynn at the Paramount for FRunch but he never showed up and around noon the sky cleared up. I walked around downtown for a couple hours and shot some photos and video of different things. When I passed by the old Calbary Baptist, one of the lead workers crossed the street and asked me if I wanted to come inside and take some photos. He said they get a lot of people coming by interested in all the construction. That rarely ever happens so I obliged. I'm glad I got the chance because this place is really coming together. The outside of the building has brand new stairs and walkway. Inside they are adding new glass to office spaces and renewing the hard wood floors. He mentioned they wanted to keep anything original to the building. I was in there for maybe thirty minutes. I'll share all that stuff later on tonight.

Kickass. I look forward to seeing the photos.

Well.... I took hundreds of photos and lost them all. I thought they were all transferred and I deleted them off my camera.... worst thing that could have happened. I'm so angry at myself. I got very sunburned for nothing. What a waste.

Well.... I took hundreds of photos and lost them all. I thought they were all transferred and I deleted them off my camera.... worst thing that could have happened. I'm so angry at myself. I got very sunburned for nothing. What a waste.

Bummer! But maybe you can still recover them.

For example, if they were stored on an SD card, there's software to help recover deleted files:

SD Card Data Recovery: How to Recover Files from SD Card (http://www.wondershare.com/disk-utility/sd-card-recovery.html)

No, it's a Compact Flash card.

No, it's a Compact Flash card.

OK. Well, there's CF recovery software too. There's a discussion here which includes several suggestions:

CF card data recovery program (free) - Canon Digital Photography Forums (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=516581)

I can't believe it but that software worked. Thanks for the help.

Calvary Baptist Church (June 3 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157633960961316/)

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Wow!!!

That ceiling... oh my.

This is going to be really impressive.

Yeah, that ceiling is amazing. Never knew that was there.

Another great old building.

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It's an amazing space inside. I have to say, it's difficult for me to envision it as a law office. Guess that I'll just have to see it when it's done.

But it surely will be one of the most unique digs for any law office, well, in the country.

Yea I still cannot vision how this is an office. But I guess we will see.

Nice to see they are letting people come in and photograph.

I believe the offices will be in the balcony areas and the main floor will remain open for events.

Glad to see the building re-done, though I'll keep my thoughts on the ownership to myself. This project gives me some hope for the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Need someone with vision and some dollars to get their hands on that.

Glad to see the building re-done, though I'll keep my thoughts on the ownership to myself. This project gives me some hope for the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Need someone with vision and some dollars to get their hands on that.

I cannot wait to see what is done with that property...huge potential there. The craftsmanship inside and out is top notch.

Yea I still cannot vision how this is an office. But I guess we will see.

Nice to see they are letting people come in and photograph.

Check this link out and click on the Image Gallery on the right side to see how they converted another Christian Science church in Cleveland into offices and more. This building is stunning and this use is fantastic.

Cleveland Restoration Society (http://www.clevelandrestoration.org/sacred_landmarks/adaptive/case_1.php#gallery/nottingham/1.jpg)

Perhaps this could be the future for our former CS church?

Glad to see the building re-done, though I'll keep my thoughts on the ownership to myself. This project gives me some hope for the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Need someone with vision and some dollars to get their hands on that.

Seems like you might have said more than enough with just this portion...

Back on topic though, I share Anonymous' sentiment of failing to see how this will work for offices, but I'm excited to see the end result.

Here are the floorplans for this project.

There are three levels, the first being about half below ground. The big steps on the west side of the building (facing Level) lead up to the sanctuary level. The new entrance on the SE corner (lower left of first image) will open into the lower level where there will be the main reception area.

Lower level is all offices; sanctuary and balcony levels have offices encased in glass along the perimeter. I believe the former main sanctuary area will remain open space for events and general use.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/calvaryplan1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/calvaryplan2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/calvaryplan3.jpg

http://youtu.be/4nPFlJWe3Rg

Calvary Baptist Church (June 03 2013) - YouTube (http://youtu.be/4nPFlJWe3Rg)

Your video is unavailable.

I can see it. Awesome job Will!

Such a cool building.

It's available now. Earlier it was Youtube dirty snow...

It's interesting how church architecture reflects community values more than any other type of facility. I am fascinated by the interior of this church - the visual emphasis appears very much on the congregation and less on the mantel. I wonder if that is typical of black congregations...

Which thread mentions the empty lots directly north of CBC?

Which thread mentions the empty lots directly north of CBC?

I don't think we have a thread on that property but it's owned by OKC Urban Renewal Authority and City Center LLC, the same group that was involved at Level.

I wouldn't be surprised to see another residential development in the near future.

Oh okay, thanks as usual, Pete!

Jared, did you mean the Meinders project?

Oh no. But speaking of Meinders project, is there a dedicated thread? I have been using my iPhone as my primary Internet device for about 3 months and my fingers are tired of searching.

This is a bit off topic for CBC, but does anyone think that old school next to it would ever be redeveloped? It's parking lot is really big.

Edit: not to mention its front door is not a door... :/

This project gives me some hope for the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Need someone with vision and some dollars to get their hands on that.

I'm not familiar with this building, could someone tell me where this is? I google mapped both Christian Science Church and First Church of Christ, Scientist. A location in Bethany and Nichols Hills Plaza come up, respectively.

June 10 2013

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/9012775141_382aa12a6e_b.jpg

First Church of Christ, Scientist (Oklahoma City) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Church_of_Christ,_Scientist_(Oklahoma_City))

Thanks, Will!

June 10 2013

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/9012775141_382aa12a6e_b.jpg

First Church of Christ, Scientist (Oklahoma City) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Church_of_Christ,_Scientist_(Oklahoma_City))

Love Love this building! Could this be offices and lofts/apartments or would it be an weird space for that?

One of the main challenges for that building is the sloping floor in the church auditorium. It also might be difficult to subdivide that room, which is of course the bulk of the building. That is why I said the Calvary project gives me hope for adaptive reuse on FCOCS. If I recall, the floor of Calvary was also sloped a bit..? Might be difficult to pull off housing, but Calvary demonstrates that office can be done in a similar space. Would also, of course, make a KILLER restaurant space.

The former First Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, WA, closed and was converted to lux apartments about 4 years ago. It was a building similar in design to our former First Church, CS, so perhaps it could become housing. I think this is a fascinating conversion. CS churches were generally built with the BEST materials available, etc., so CS churches are many times some of the most spectacular buildings in their respective cities and towns. Check out The Sanctuary: Sanctuary ? Live In A Landmark (http://liveatsanctuary.com/)

The former First Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, WA, closed and was converted to lux apartments about 4 years ago. It was a building similar in design to our former First Church, CS, so perhaps it could become housing. I think this is a fascinating conversion. CS churches were generally built with the BEST materials available, etc., so CS churches are many times some of the most spectacular buildings in their respective cities and towns. Check out The Sanctuary: Sanctuary ? Live In A Landmark (http://liveatsanctuary.com/)


That's possible but OKC can't currently support the price for that kind of development in Seattle even if it would be less expensive here.

The First Church Becomes a Convert: Cheapest unit in Cap Hill project is $925 grand | CHS Capitol Hill Seattle (http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2009/06/update-the-first-church-becomes-a-convert/)

Yeah, I agree, our market is probably not ready for units that are that expensive, but I just thought it was a creative way to use the space for housing instead of offices.

Calvary Baptist Church (July 5 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157634555399629/)

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Saw Mathis Brothers trucks unloading furniture today. They mush be getting really close to completion!

They are moving fast a furious with hopes to be complete asap since it is already past the intended completion date.

I think a few years ago this cool little project would have been receiving a lot more attention than it has, but given all the excitement and tons of other development in the CBD, this project has kind of moved along somewhat under the radar. That shows how far OKC has come in recent years.

Star Spencer students tour restored Calvary Baptist Church | News OK (http://newsok.com/star-spencer-students-tour-restored-calvary-baptist-church/article/3876942)

Our next RetroMetroOKC meeting will be at the new law office at Calvary Baptist Church on Monday September 9.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Meetings! | Retro Metro OKC (http://www.retrometrookc.org/mark-your-calendars-for-upcoming-meetings)

Take lots of photos, Will!

think they did an exceptional job on that and all involved should be commended!

Neon sign went up today, looks pretty cool! Running late for a meeting or I would have snapped a shot of it.

Neon sign went up today, looks pretty cool! Running late for a meeting or I would have snapped a shot of it.

Here it is. Really, really slick!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/calvarysign.jpg

Well, I like what they've done with the place but put me in the category of, "I'm not really sure about the sign". I get the desire to go neon but to me, this just doesn't look authentic for anything but maybe a gas station.

IDk, maybe I'll warm up to it. I'll have to as I'll be staring at it all day, every day. :)

Sid, it's a replication of an earlier sign:

http://www.ocgi.okstate.edu/shpo/NHRPICS/78002244.jpg

Courtesy of Doug Loundenback's blog:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/vintage/calvarybaptist_11_9_2001.jpg

Well, I like what they've done with the place but put me in the category of, "I'm not really sure about the sign". I get the desire to go neon but to me, this just doesn't look authentic for anything but maybe a gas station.

IDk, maybe I'll warm up to it. I'll have to as I'll be staring at it all day, every day. :)


That sign would work well with the bus station...

Calvary Baptist Church (September 9 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157635576982544/)

Thanks Will!

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Jiminy Christmas! What a superb restoration. This is outstanding!

I have to say, though, that I'm surprised that the first floor was restored so fully. With the pews, pulpit, and choir seats. They're not planning on holding church services here are they?

I can see how they are using the upper floors for offices. But I'm not sure how they plan on using that first floor area.

But is certainly is respectful and historical what they have done. A hat tip to Dan Davis for such a beautiful and sensitive restoration.

I agree, absolutely outstanding job.

The area will the pews will be for events, not sure exactly what type.

Calvary Baptist Church (September 16 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157635590088394/)

I agree, absolutely outstanding job.

The area will the pews will be for events, not sure exactly what type.

Looks like it would be good for neighborhood meetings, or other kinds of public/civic affairs meetings. Possibly for small 'awards type' ceremonies too.

They may be planning to have school groups tour the place for 'local history' kind of field events (learn about OKC's past...).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2eSWnYGaC8

Calvary Baptist Church (September 09 2013) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2eSWnYGaC8)

I think, so long as the old sanctuary remains open to the public, this is a much better use for the property than the once-proposed bar. The current use much more community oriented and is more true to the spirit of the building. I think Mr. Davis & Co. did an outstanding job.

Very cool and amazing how much of the building they left open rather than for their own needs.

Also, at some point in the future it would be easy to convert back to a church or other similar use.

Notice they even kept the baptismal pool on the altar (3:13)??