Oklahoma Presbyterian College, church building in Oklahoma, United States of America
Oklahoma Presbyterian College is a red brick building in Durant with a substantial main structure that once housed classrooms, dormitories, and facilities in the basement. The layout allowed teaching, living, and community activities to happen within the same walls.
The building began as Calvin Institute in 1894, founded by Presbyterian missionaries to educate Choctaw Nation children. After several name changes, the school operated until financial hardship forced its closure in 1966.
The building served as a meeting point between Presbyterian missionaries and the Choctaw community for generations. Today, the Choctaw Nation operates from this space, continuing a legacy that links education, faith, and tribal identity in a concrete way.
The site is located in Durant and remains accessible to visitors as it is used by the Red River Valley Historical Society and the Choctaw Nation. It helps to check in advance about visiting hours to confirm that spaces are open for tours.
The building housed a remarkable basketball team in the 1930s that won 88 consecutive games under coach Sam Babb and even played in Europe. These farm girls from Oklahoma achieved national championships before the team eventually moved to another university.
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