Tulsa’s famous Church Studio close to reopening

August 27, 2021 at 10:14 am CDT

TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa’s legendary Church Studio is almost ready for its grand reopening.

“We’re at the very final stretch of the renovation, so we plan on opening in about 2 months,” said owner Teresa Knox who bought the property five years ago with the hope of restoration.

The church began as Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in 1915.

In 1972, it was purchased by Tulsa music legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell, who turned it into a recording studio and the home for Shelter Records.

“We want to display the Church Studio archive, we want to have exhibits, we want to have programming that brings the general public in, but first and foremost we are a recording studio, so that’s our top priority,” Knox said.

Knox said they already have the space booked for events and recording sessions later in the year.

“We’re so excited about showing off, not only the Church Studio but educating them about our rich musical history, the Tulsa sound, what Leon Russell did,” Knox said. “His significance to the City of Tulsa and the wonderful things happening in our community like OKPOP, the Woody Guthrie Center, the Bob Dylan Center, Cain’s Ballroom. We have so many things to be proud of in Tulsa and I’m just honored that the Church is part of that.”