Historic Downtown Tulsa Church Set To Turn Into Concert Venue

A historic Tulsa church at 11th and Boulder will soon be a concert venue. Its dome makes it one of the most recognizable buildings downtown.

The corner of 11th and Boulder is packed with history. It's where the First Church of Christ Scientist had been for 100 years.

And it is where a small monument explains the site of Tulsa's first street sign.

"There is a time capsule right there, which tells you when they started building the foundation of the building and they put some things in it,” Corey Taylor said.

He and and Eric Sherburn started "Tayburn Music" about a year ago and have been looking for a place that fit their vision.

"We wanted to create a place here in Tulsa that creatives could call home,” Taylor said.

"I mean within seconds of us walking in there, we looked at each other and knew that this was the spot for us,” Sherburn said.

Taylor and Sherburn said right now they are calling it "The Dome," but that could change.

The two said consider it to be a "boutique venue," fitting 1,200 people inside for concerts. Beyond performances, Tayburn Music said this will be a place for creative people to work and grow.

"Whether you are doing podcasting, whether you are working in a media lab and like to assemble and put together, edit videos, whether you like to lay down tracks, and record in a recording studio. We wanted to create an environment in which you could further your craft,” Taylor said.

Taylor said it will be about a year before they are ready to open the venue, as they finalize plans and start renovations, all while keeping the unique architecture in tact.

"We plan to carry it into its next 100 years being just as iconic and doing our part,” Taylor said.

Ray Earley, the property chair and active member of the First Church of Christ Scientist, said the church no longer needed that much space, and members are happy to see the building be put to good use.

The congregation is now meeting at a temporary location (1409 S Elwood) while it looks for a permanent home.

To learn more about Tayburn Music, click here.