wfn.org | UMNS Alert-Title: Oklahoma City church to dedicate new sanctuary

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

April 10, 1998 Contact: Thomas S. McAnally, (615)742-5470, Nashville,
Tenn. (16-72-90)						      
A L E R T

Oklahoma City church to dedicate new sanctuary
on third anniversary of bombing
	
Sunday, April 19, exactly three years after the Oklahoma City bombing of
the Alfred P. Murrah federal building, the nearby First United Methodist
Church will dedicate a new $3.75 million sanctuary. The sanctuary was
built on the church's former parking lot.

The historic church, across the street from the Murrah building, was
severely damaged by the blast.  Immediately after the bombing, its north
lobby was used as a  temporary morgue and its parking lot became a tent
city. Since the bombing, worship services and most other activities have
been held at the Trinity Baptist Church. The church office was moved to
another downtown building.

United Methodist News Service reporter Joretta Purdue and photographer
Mike DuBose will be in Oklahoma City for the dedication of the
sanctuary. A story and photograph will be online Monday, April 20.
Photos can be sent to you electronically.

The news story will be available on the United Methodist home page:
http://www.umc.org/umns/  If you do not have access to the Internet, you
may call UMNS Central News Desk in Nashville (615)742-5470.  For
information about photographs, contact DuBose, (615) 742-5150.

The Rev. Nick Harris, pastor of the church, can be reached at (405)
239-6493. Other church contacts are Susan Briggs, secretary to the
pastor, and Barbara Becker, who will be acting secretary for the week of
April 12.
#  #  #

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/