National Register Record for KIMBROUGH TEMPLE C.M.E. CHURCH

Historic Name: KIMBROUGH TEMPLE C.M.E. CHURCH
Current Name: SAME
Address: 1029 SOUTH 12TH STREET
City: PONCA CITY            County: KAY
Section: None           Township: None           Range: None          
Description of significance: THE KIMBROUGH TEMPLE C.M.E. CHURCH IS ELIGIBLE FOR LISTING ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE UNDER CRITERION A FOR ETHNIC HERITAGE: BLACK FOR ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THE SEGREGATED BLACK COMMUNITY OF PONCA CITY. IN THE EARLY 1900S, RESIDENTS AND CITY LEADERS SET ASIDE THE AREA AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. IN 1942, THE CONGREGATES OF THE KIMBROUGH TEMPLE C.M.E. CHURCH RAISED ENOUGH FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT A STONE CHAPEL FOR WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS. DUE TO COST AND DEDICATION TO THEIR ENDEAVOR, THE PARISHIONERS STARTED BUILDING THE STONE CHURCH THEMSELVES OF LOCAL STONES IN 1943. IN 1946, TO CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION OF THE CHURCH, THE CONGREGATION HOSTED THE DISTRICT ANNUAL CONFERENCE. IT IS SITUATED IN THE TRADITIONAL ALL BLACK DIXIE HILL ADDITION OR ALSO KNOWN AS THE ATTUCKS COMMUNITY. THIS STRUCTURE SERVED THE COMMUNITY WITH NOT ONLY RELIGIOUS SERVICES BUT WITH SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH, THUS BECOMING CENTRAL TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY OF PONCA CITY. THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE RANGES FROM WHEN CONSTRUCTION STARTED IN 1943 THROUGH 1954 WHEN DESEGREGATION HAPPENED WITH THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN THE BROWN V. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF TOPEKA, KANSAS CASE.CRITERIA CONSIDERATION A IS ALSO APPLICABLE AS IT WAS A BUILT AND OWNED BY A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION USED FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES. LISTED 09/15/2020.

Type: BUILDING
Historic Function: RELIGION/RELIGIOUS STRUCTURE
Current Function: VACANT/NOT IN USE
Area of Significance 1: ETHNIC HERITAGE: BLACK
Area of Significance 2: None
Architectural Style: MISSION/VERNACULAR
Architect: KIMBROUGH TEMPLE C.M.E. CHURCH PARISHIONERS
Year Built: 1943-1946            Original Site: YES
Condition: POOR
Restricted: None
Documentation Source: None
Date Prepared: MAY 2019