Oklahoma's Black cowboy and rodeo culture rode into focus for this OKC congregation

There were signs that the West had won.

Church members wearing cowboy boots, denim jackets, jeans, jean skirts and Western shirts filled the sanctuary at Fifth Street Baptist Church, 801 NE 5. Senior Pastor A. Byron Coleman entered wearing a huge cowboy hat. By the time three cowboys walked to the front of the church, there was no question that something special was happening.

It was all part of "Western Day," one of the 2024 Black History Month themed Sundays at Fifth Street. The church had a similar "Pioneer Day" as part of 2023 Black History Month activities.

Coleman, who is from Chicago, said he did not know much about Oklahoma's Black cowboy and rodeo culture before he came to the state. He said as he began to learn more about rodeos held in Oklahoma's Black towns like the iconic longtime Boley Rodeo. The minister said he also met Black professional rodeo participants and wanted his church to hear them talk about their lives in rodeo.

"There are aspects of African-American culture that never gets talked about, aspects that get lost," Coleman told his congregation.

"Typically, Western culture is dominated by white faces and I wanted to highlight, bring awareness and appreciation to Black Western culture because it it goes overlooked."

During "Western Day," rodeo cowboys Lamarr Hankins, Damon Hopkins Sr. and Marcus Verser talked to church members about how they became involved in rodeo. As they men took their seats for a conversation with Coleman, the minister laughed as the organist fittingly played the theme song from "Bonanza," a Western television show from yesteryear.

In 2023, Tory Johnson, Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) steer wrestler, served as a special guest during "Pioneer Day" Sunday held during Black History Month at Fifth Street. Johnson brought a horse to the church and allowed several members to ride the animal on the back lawn of the house of worship after the Sunday service.

The recent "Western Day" at the church comes at a time when the lives of some Black historical figures like Bass Reeves are being explored. Reeves, who was born enslaved, spent 32 years as a deputy marshal in Indian Territory and he was the only deputy to begin with Judge Isaac C. Parker's court and work until Oklahoma statehood in 1907, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," an original series about his life, premiered in November 2023 on Paramount+.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Fifth Street Baptist Church celebrated Oklahoma's Black Western culture