OKC United Methodist church gets new life under a new name

A local church has officially closed, but its end marks a new beginning for the house of worship that was named for an Oklahoma City jeweler.

About 25 people gathered for the Nov. 5 service of deconsecration for Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, 5808 NW 23. But just as the crowd mourned the official closing of the church, they celebrated its new life as the Lazarus Community, described by its leader as an urban missionary ministry offering food, clothing, showers and other services for people in need, particularly those transitioning from homelessness.

The Rev. Bo Ireland, Lazarus Community pastor and director, said the church was first chartered and launched in 1961 with 64 members and it doubled in size in a year. He said construction on the church building began soon afterward and it was completed in phases by 1964. The church near the corner of NW 23 and MacArthur was originally named after Benton Clyde "B.C." Clark Sr., founder of the iconic family owned B.C. Clark Jewelers, based in Oklahoma City. Ireland said it eventually became known simply as Clark Memorial United Methodist Church.

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The congregation dwindled in size over the years, and Ireland, a United Methodist minister, began the Lazarus Community at Clark Memorial through an Oklahoma United Methodist Conference grant several years ago. Clark Memorial members voted on Oct. 29 to officially close the church and continue ministry as the Lazarus Community.

Susan Truelove, 51, said she and her husband became members of the church 20 years ago because the congregation was welcoming. She said her family stayed as many of the church members grew older and the church drew fewer young families with children.

"It was slowly dying so this is a beautiful rebirth," Truelove said. "I think it's a beautiful new beginning for this area and I'm excited to see changes."

The Rev. James Kim, Oklahoma United Methodist Conference Heartland district superintendent, also said that the church's membership had shrunk to the point of closing.

Like Truelove, he expressed optimism about future ministry at the site.

"It's a new journey with this very special comunity," Kim said.

'This church will not be forgotten'

In his sermon entitled "In the Tomb," Ireland talked about the story of Lazarus, who was raised from the dead by Jesus, according to Biblical Scripture. He also shared memories of a relative who was told he didn't have long to live. Ireland said when he asked his relative if he was afraid of dying, the man said he was most afraid of being forgotten.

"I can assure you, this church will not be forgotten," Ireland said.

He also told attendees about the many ways the church has been transformed into the Lazarus Community. A food pantry and soup kitchen are offered at the site and several people in need of shelter have found a temporary home in the building. Ireland said a plan is still in the works to offer more temporary housing on the church property.

Kim told those gathered he typically felt sadness at the end of a deconsecration and disbanding service, but he felt a sense of hope because the church had been "God's gift for a season," accomplished its purpose and would continue on as a place of ministry.

"Do you believe in Jesus' promise of resurrection? Do you believe in eternal life?" Kim asked the crowd. "That's what we are experiencing today."

Memories and 'Mr. Methodist'

Ireland said the church's namesake, B.C. Clark Sr., was known as "Mr. Methodist" because he helped start at least 16 Methodist churches in Oklahoma.

According to newspaper clippings, vintage church bulletins and photos, Clark loaned almost all of the congregations the down payment funds needed to start their churches. The jeweler died in 1963.

His grandson, Jim Clark, and his wife, Carolyn, were among the attendees at the recent deconsecration service. Jim Clark, 83, said the family jewelry company was his grandfather's business, but the "Methodist Church was is passion."

"He loved the Church and he loved the people and he loved to raise funds for the Church," Clark said.

He seemed optimistic about the church's transformation into the Lazarus Community.

"God's work is at hand and God will take care of it — he'll direct them in the direction they should go," Clark said.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Leslie Long, a United Methodist minister, and her mother, Marge Long, took time to look through numerous church photo albums after the service. Leslie Long, 61, said she grew up attending Clark Memorial where she was surrounded by many people who were influential in her life.

"There's some sadness but I'm also happy that they're not fully closing the church," she said.

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Don "Kirk" Martz, 65, a member of Clark Memorial since 1965, said Ireland and the Lazarus Community had "lifted up the church and brought a lot of life here."

"I think it's great," he said.

Ireland said the Lazarus Community will be a mission of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference now that it is no longer a church. The Oklahoma City Council approved the rezoning for the church to allow for residential living, and Ireland likes to describe the ministry as a "modern-day monastery."

Over the last year, it has become known for the anti-death penalty display featured on the church's lawn in the form of large wooden crosses symbolizing individuals on death row in Oklahoma.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Clark Memorial United Methodist Church becomes Lazarus Community