Checotah Methodist Church
Based on information in an article in the Real Estate and Recreation section 
of the Feb. 24, 2000 issue of the Indian Journal

Land for the construction of the original Methodist Church in Checotah was donated by E. W. Leblance and W. E. Gentry.  since 1890 three different structures have occupied the site.  The current 44' x 71' building was built in 1917 at a cost of $15,000.  The corner stone reads "M.E. Church. S.."

Today this is the oldest brick church h in McIntosh County and one of the state's few remaining examples of this type of architecture.  Its Federalist Revival style facade contrasts with the interior which uses a "meeting house" design.  From a corner pulpit, four aisles radiate.  This was a fairly common plan in the early 20th century.

Bricks for the structure were made from clay quarried northeast of Checotah.  Limestone was purchased from Carthage, Missouri and brought down on the KATY railroad.  The oak millwork and pews were brought from Jackson, Tennessee, and the original Jacobean pulpit chairs and table were ordered from New York. 

Because of the carefully preserved unique architecture the building was named to the National Register of historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior on Nov. 13, 1984. 

Among the members of the Church were the first Indian and the first white child born in Checotah, the town's Pulitzer prize winner, a lieutenant governor of Oklahoma, and a national vice commander of the American Legion.

Additions through the years include adding the Fellowship Hall in 1944, Sunday school rooms and a parlor in 1960, and with the purchase of additional land east, a parking lot and a dual purpose structure in 1990.