Prayer Tower

36.05056°N 95.95245°W / 36.05056; -95.95245

The Prayer Tower on the campus of Oral Roberts University (the gas flame at its peak is visible in this photograph)

The Prayer Tower is a late Googie design-influenced tower located on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] The 200 ft (60.9 m) glass and steel structure, designed by Tulsa architect Frank Wallace, opened in 1967.[2] An enclosed observation deck gives a 360° view of the surrounding area and enables a self-guided visual tour of the ORU campus. The landscaped Ralph L. Reece Memorial Gardens surround the tower base. The tower is a popular local tourist attraction.

Symbolism

ORU is a charismatic Christian university. According to school publicity the tower's form is laden with Christian symbolism.[3] The Prayer Tower is located at the center of campus to symbolize prayer's central role in the goals of the university.[4] The disc and spindle design takes on the look of a cross from any horizontal bearing, and from the air resembles the Star of David. The tower's "upward spiral" is intended to mirror one's relationship with God. The latticework which surrounds the observation deck is reportedly built in part from standard white PVC pipe (with the original specification markings still somewhat visible)[5] and is meant as a semi-literal representation of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus on the cross, with red coloring for the blood Christ shed in death. The Seattle space needle inspired look along with the white, gold and black palette created an image of luxury. The luxurious image that was displayed conveyed Roberts condition and wealth gospel.[6] The tower's peak features an eternal flame representing Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

References
  1. spaceagecity.com/basement retrieved 8 October 2007
  2. Heather Caliendo, "These walls: Oral Roberts University's Prayer Tower". The Journal Record, February 8, 2008.
  3. ORU website, Prayer Room Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 10 January 2010
  4. David Edwin Harrell, Oral Roberts: An American Life (Indiana University Press, 1985), ISBN 978-0-253-15844-4, p.224. Excerpt available at Google Books.
  5. roadsideamerica.com Oral Roberts Prayer Tower, retrieved 8 October 2007
  6. Grubiak, Margaret M. (2016-05-25). "An Architecture for the Electronic Church: Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma". Technology and Culture. 57 (2): 380–413. doi:10.1353/tech.2016.0066. ISSN 1097-3729. PMID 27237069. S2CID 24099698.
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