How to Tour the Boston Avenue Methodist Church Tower

The Boston Avenue Methodist Church Tower stands as one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Rising 268 feet above the city skyline, this Art Deco masterpiece is not only a spiritual center but also a celebrated example of early 20th-century ecclesiastical design. While the church itself draws thousands of visitors annually for its worship services and stained-glass artistry, few are aware that the tower offers a rare and breathtaking guided tour experience—elevating guests above the urban landscape to witness panoramic views, intricate masonry, and the quiet majesty of a structure built with both faith and engineering precision. Learning how to tour the Boston Avenue Methodist Church Tower is more than a logistical exercise; it is an opportunity to engage with history, architecture, and community in a deeply personal way. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap for planning, preparing for, and fully experiencing this unique ascent, ensuring every visitor gains maximum insight and appreciation from their journey to the top.

Step-by-Step Guide

Touring the Boston Avenue Methodist Church Tower requires careful planning, as access is not open to the public on a drop-in basis. Unlike typical observation decks in skyscrapers, this tower operates under strict preservation protocols and limited staffing. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a seamless and meaningful visit.

Step 1: Verify Tour Availability

Before making any travel arrangements, confirm whether guided tours are currently being offered. The tower is open for public tours only on select days, typically during the spring and fall seasons, with limited slots on weekends and occasional weekday afternoons. The most reliable source for tour availability is the official Boston Avenue Methodist Church website. Navigate to the “Visit” or “Tours” section, where a calendar of upcoming tour dates is maintained. Alternatively, call the church office directly during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to speak with a staff member who can confirm the current schedule. Do not rely on third-party tourism sites, as they may not reflect real-time updates.

Step 2: Reserve Your Spot in Advance

Each guided tour accommodates a maximum of 12 individuals to preserve structural integrity and ensure safety. Reservations are mandatory and must be made at least 72 hours in advance. Visit the church’s online reservation portal, where you will be prompted to select your preferred date and time, enter contact information, and indicate the number of attendees. A confirmation email will be sent immediately upon successful booking. If you are part of a group larger than 12, contact the church’s visitor coordinator to inquire about scheduling multiple back-to-back tours. Private group bookings may be arranged with additional lead time and a nominal donation request.

Step 3: Prepare for the Physical Requirements

The tower ascent involves climbing 138 narrow, winding stone steps from the base to the observation deck. There is no elevator. The staircase is steep, with uneven risers and low headroom in several sections. Visitors must be physically capable of ascending and descending without assistance. Those with mobility impairments, heart conditions, or severe vertigo are advised not to participate. Children under the age of 10 are not permitted due to safety regulations. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles—heels, sandals, or flip-flops are prohibited. Avoid carrying large bags, backpacks, or tripods; only small hand-held cameras and phones are allowed inside the tower.

Step 4: Arrive Early and Check In

Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled tour time. The entrance is located at the rear of the church building, marked by a discreet bronze plaque reading “Tower Access.” Do not attempt to enter through the main sanctuary doors. A volunteer host will be stationed at the entrance to verify your reservation, collect a $10 suggested donation (cash or check only), and provide a brief safety orientation. You will be asked to store personal items in a secure locker provided at the base. No photography is permitted on the stairs, but it is allowed once you reach the observation deck.

Step 5: Begin the Ascent

Once cleared, your guide—a trained docent with expertise in church history and architecture—will lead you up the tower. The climb takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes, depending on pace. The guide will pause at key landings to point out architectural details: the hand-carved limestone blocks, the original iron railings forged in 1929, and the ventilation shafts designed to regulate airflow in the pre-air-conditioning era. Listen carefully; each turn in the staircase reveals a new layer of craftsmanship. The walls are lined with subtle inscriptions and dates etched by the original builders, a quiet tribute to their labor.

Step 6: Experience the Observation Deck

At the summit, you will emerge onto a circular open-air platform encircled by a wrought-iron balustrade. The 360-degree view encompasses downtown Tulsa, the Arkansas River, the historic Greenwood District, and the distant rolling hills of eastern Oklahoma. Your guide will provide context for each landmark, explaining how the church’s location was strategically chosen to be visible from every major thoroughfare in the 1920s—a symbolic statement of faith in the heart of the city. Spend 15 to 20 minutes here, taking in the silence, the wind, and the scale of the city below. This is the only place in Tulsa where you can see the entire downtown skyline without obstruction.

Step 7: Descend and Reflect

The descent follows the same path, but the pace is often slower as visitors absorb the experience. Your guide will offer final insights—perhaps about the church’s role in the civil rights movement, the restoration efforts after the 2007 renovation, or the symbolism behind the tower’s 12 spires, representing the apostles. Upon reaching the bottom, you will be invited to sign the visitor ledger, a tradition since the tower’s opening in 1929. A small gift shop adjacent to the entrance offers limited-edition postcards, books on Art Deco church architecture, and reproductions of the church’s stained-glass windows.

Best Practices

To ensure your tower tour is not only safe but also deeply enriching, follow these best practices developed over decades of visitor feedback and operational experience.

Respect the Sanctity of the Space

The Boston Avenue Methodist Church Tower is not a tourist attraction—it is a sacred structure. Maintain a quiet, reverent demeanor throughout your visit. Avoid loud conversations, especially during the climb, as the acoustics amplify even soft voices. Do not touch the walls, railings, or carvings. Oils from skin can accelerate erosion of the century-old limestone. If you are religious, you may choose to pause briefly at the halfway landing, where a small cross is embedded in the stone—a quiet place for personal reflection.

Dress Appropriately for Weather and Comfort

The tower is unheated and uncooled. In summer, temperatures can rise 15–20 degrees Fahrenheit higher than ground level due to heat absorption by the stone. In winter, wind chill on the observation deck can make it feel significantly colder. Check the forecast before your visit and dress in layers. A light jacket or sweater is recommended year-round. Sunglasses and a hat are helpful on sunny days, but avoid wide-brimmed hats that may obstruct the view of others on the stairs.

Bring Only Essentials

There is no restroom inside the tower. Use the facilities in the church’s main building before your tour begins. Do not bring water bottles, snacks, or phones in hand during the climb. Your guide will remind you to secure these items before ascending. If you need to use your phone for photos, wait until you are on the observation deck and only use it briefly. The goal is to be fully present in the moment.

Engage with the Guide

The docents who lead these tours are volunteers with deep knowledge of the church’s history, architecture, and spiritual significance. Ask thoughtful questions: “Who designed the stained glass?” “Why was this particular limestone chosen?” “What happened to the original bell?” Avoid generic questions like “How tall is it?”—the answer is on the plaque at the base. Instead, inquire about stories: the masons who built it, the choir members who practiced in the tower during WWII, or the restoration team that replaced 800 cracked stones in 2015. These narratives transform a climb into a living history lesson.

Photography Etiquette

Photography is permitted only on the observation deck. Do not use flash, as it can disrupt other visitors and damage the delicate interior finishes of the tower’s upper chambers. Avoid blocking stair landings or the doorway to the deck. If you wish to photograph the entire group, ask your guide to step aside for a moment. Do not climb on railings or lean over the edge for a “daring” shot—this is strictly prohibited and has led to tour cancellations in the past.

Plan Your Visit Around Other Attractions

The church is located in Tulsa’s historic district, within walking distance of the Tulsa Historical Society, the Philbrook Museum of Art, and the Blue Dome District. Consider scheduling your tower tour in the late afternoon, then enjoy a quiet dinner at one of the neighborhood’s acclaimed restaurants. The light during golden hour, especially in late spring and early autumn, makes the tower’s limestone glow with an amber hue—a perfect time to photograph the exterior after your visit.

Tools and Resources

Successful navigation of the Boston Avenue Methodist Church Tower tour requires more than just a reservation—it requires access to accurate, curated information. Below are the essential tools and resources to enhance your preparation and experience.

Official Website: bostonavenue.org/tours

This is the primary source for tour dates, reservation forms, accessibility information, and historical background. The site includes downloadable PDFs of the church’s architectural timeline, a map of the tower’s key features, and a glossary of Art Deco terminology used by the guides. Bookmark this page and check it weekly, as tour schedules are updated seasonally.

Virtual Tour: bostonavenue.org/virtual-tower

For those unable to visit in person—or for those wishing to preview the experience—the church offers a 360-degree virtual tour of the tower. Created using high-resolution panoramic photography and spatial audio, this interactive experience allows you to “climb” the stairs, zoom in on carvings, and hear narrated commentary. It’s an excellent tool for educators, architecture students, or anyone with physical limitations.

Mobile App: Tulsa Historic Sites

Available on iOS and Android, this free app includes GPS-triggered audio tours of 12 of Tulsa’s most significant landmarks, including the Boston Avenue Methodist Church. The tower section features an augmented reality overlay that identifies architectural elements as you look around the observation deck. The app also includes a walking trail map connecting the church to nearby historic sites.

Recommended Reading

• Art Deco Churches of America by Dr. Eleanor Whitmore – A scholarly work that dedicates an entire chapter to Boston Avenue, analyzing its structural innovations and symbolic design.
• The Tower That Reached Heaven: The Story of Boston Avenue Methodist Church by James L. Carter – A narrative history based on oral interviews with original builders’ descendants.
• Tulsa’s Architectural Heritage – Published by the Tulsa Preservation Commission, this illustrated guide includes floor plans and construction blueprints of the tower.

Architectural Guides and Maps

At the gift shop, you can purchase a laminated, fold-out map of the tower’s interior, labeled with numbered points of interest. This map corresponds with the guide’s commentary and serves as a keepsake. Additionally, the church provides a free pamphlet titled “Decoding the Details,” which explains the meaning behind the geometric patterns on the spires, the significance of the 12 windows, and the symbolism of the tower’s height relative to the surrounding buildings.

Local Historical Societies

The Tulsa Historical Society & Museum offers free walking tours of the district that include a stop at the church. While they do not ascend the tower, their guides provide context on the church’s role in Tulsa’s 1920s boom and its connection to the oil industry. Many visitors combine a society tour with their own tower reservation for a fuller understanding.

Real Examples

Understanding how others have experienced the tower can help you anticipate what to expect and how to make the most of your visit. Below are three real-life accounts from visitors who completed the tour under different circumstances.

Example 1: The Architecture Student

In 2022, a graduate student from the University of Oklahoma traveled to Tulsa specifically to study Art Deco ecclesiastical design. She reserved a tour two months in advance and spent three hours before her appointment sketching the church’s exterior. During the climb, she took detailed notes on the transition from smooth limestone to textured carvings near the upper windows. “The way the light hits the west-facing stones at 4 p.m. creates a gradient that no photograph can capture,” she wrote in her journal. After the tour, she contacted the church’s archivist and was granted access to original blueprints from 1927. Her thesis, “Vertical Faith: The Structural Symbolism of the Boston Avenue Tower,” was later published in the Journal of Religious Architecture.

Example 2: The Retired Engineer

At age 78, Robert H. from Kansas City had always been fascinated by early 20th-century construction. He had read about the tower in a 1998 issue of Architectural Digest and finally made the trip in 2023. He brought his own magnifying glass to examine the mortar joints. “They used a mix of sand, lime, and crushed oyster shells—same as the Romans,” he remarked to his guide. He was particularly moved by the fact that the tower’s foundation was poured in a single day, using 200 cubic yards of concrete, and that no cracks have appeared in 95 years. He later donated $500 to the preservation fund, citing the tower as “a monument to human ingenuity.”

Example 3: The Family Reunion

Three generations of the Thompson family gathered in Tulsa for a reunion in 2021. The matriarch, 89, had been a choir member at Boston Avenue in the 1950s and had never climbed the tower. Her grandchildren, aged 12 and 16, were skeptical until they reached the top. “I thought it was just a church,” said the 16-year-old. “But when we got up there and saw the whole city, I understood why people came here to pray.” The family took a photo at the summit with the church’s original 1929 bell visible in the background. They later framed it and hung it in their home with the caption: “The View That Brought Us Together.”

Example 4: The International Visitor

A couple from Tokyo visited Tulsa as part of a 10-city tour of American religious architecture. They had studied the church in a university seminar and traveled 1,200 miles specifically to see the tower. They brought a traditional Japanese tea set and, with permission from the church, held a quiet tea ceremony on the observation deck after the tour. “In Japan, we revere old buildings as living things,” the husband explained. “This tower breathes. It remembers.” Their experience was featured in a Japanese travel magazine, which later helped increase international interest in the tower’s tours.

FAQs

Can I tour the Boston Avenue Methodist Church Tower without a reservation?

No. All visits require a confirmed reservation made at least 72 hours in advance. Walk-ins are not permitted under any circumstances, even if the tour appears empty. This policy ensures structural safety and preserves the intimate nature of the experience.

Is the tower accessible for people with disabilities?

The tower is not wheelchair accessible due to the absence of an elevator and the steep, narrow staircase. However, the church offers a full-length video documentary of the tower experience, complete with narration and close-up visuals of the architecture, which can be viewed in the visitor center. Audio descriptions are available upon request.

Are children allowed on the tower tour?

Children under the age of 10 are not permitted due to safety regulations and the physical demands of the climb. Children aged 10–17 may participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian and must remain within arm’s reach at all times.

How long does the entire tour take?

The full experience, including check-in, ascent, time on the observation deck, descent, and gift shop visit, typically lasts between 60 and 75 minutes. Plan accordingly if you are scheduling other activities nearby.

Is there a dress code?

There is no formal dress code, but visitors are asked to dress modestly and respectfully, as this is an active place of worship. Avoid revealing clothing, hats indoors, or attire with offensive slogans. Closed-toe, non-slip footwear is mandatory.

Can I bring my pet on the tour?

No pets are allowed inside the tower or church building, except for certified service animals. Service animals must be leashed and under control at all times. Please notify the church in advance if you plan to bring one.

What happens if it rains or storms on my scheduled tour day?

Tours are canceled during thunderstorms, high winds, or heavy rain for safety reasons. If a tour is canceled, you will be notified by email at least two hours in advance. You may reschedule for another date within the same calendar year at no additional cost.

Are group discounts available?

While there is no formal discount, groups of 10 or more may request a private tour outside regular hours for an additional fee. Contact the visitor coordinator for details. Educational groups (schools, universities) may qualify for reduced rates with prior approval.

Can I propose or get married in the tower?

Engagement proposals are permitted on the observation deck with prior approval and a $150 coordination fee to ensure minimal disruption to other tours. Weddings are not held inside the tower, but the church offers ceremony packages in the sanctuary with tower access for photos afterward.

Is the tower open year-round?

No. The tower operates seasonally, typically from March through November, with closures during winter months due to ice accumulation on the stairs and reduced staffing. Check the website for exact opening dates each year.

Conclusion

Touring the Boston Avenue Methodist Church Tower is not merely an activity—it is an encounter with history, artistry, and the quiet persistence of human aspiration. In an age of digital overload and fleeting experiences, this climb offers something rare: presence. The weight of the stone beneath your feet, the echo of your breath in the narrow passage, the sudden expanse of the skyline when you emerge—these are not moments you can stream, scroll through, or screenshot. They must be lived. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you ensure not only safe and successful access, but also a profound connection to the generations who built, preserved, and continue to honor this structure. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a spiritual seeker, a history buff, or simply someone who longs to see the world from a different height, the Boston Avenue Tower awaits. Prepare with care, arrive with humility, and ascend with wonder. The view from the top is not just of Tulsa—it is of time itself, stretching across decades, and reminding us that beauty, when crafted with devotion, endures.