{{short description|Tower on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} [[File:Prayer Tower on the campus of Oral Roberts University.jpg|thumb|230px|right|The Prayer Tower on the campus of Oral Roberts University (the gas flame at its peak is visible in this photograph)]] The '''Prayer Tower''' is a late Googie design-influenced tower located on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.<ref>[http://www.spaceagecity.com/googie/basement/ spaceagecity.com/basement] retrieved 8 October 2007</ref> The 200 ft (60.9 m) glass and steel structure, designed by Tulsa architect Frank Wallace, opened in 1967.<ref>Heather Caliendo, [https://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20080208/ai_n21304697 "These walls: Oral Roberts University's Prayer Tower"]. ''The Journal Record'', February 8, 2008.</ref> An enclosed observation deck gives a 360° view of the surrounding area and enables a self-guided visual tour of the ORU campus. The landscaped Ralph L. Reece Memorial Gardens surround the tower base. The tower is a popular local tourist attraction.
==Symbolism== ORU is a charismatic Christian university. According to school publicity the tower's form is laden with Christian symbolism.<ref>ORU website, [http://www.oru.edu/oru_experience/experience_for_the_spirit/prayer_room.php Prayer Room] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231837/http://www.oru.edu/oru_experience/experience_for_the_spirit/prayer_room.php |date=2016-03-03 }}, retrieved 10 January 2010</ref> The Prayer Tower is located at the center of campus to symbolize prayer's central role in the goals of the university.<ref>David Edwin Harrell, ''Oral Roberts: An American Life'' (Indiana University Press, 1985), {{ISBN|978-0-253-15844-4}}, p.224. [https://books.google.com/books?id=rtz1InGWAmYC&pg=PA224 Excerpt available] at Google Books.</ref> The disc and spindle design takes on the look of a cross from any horizontal bearing, and from the air resembles the Star of David. The tower's "upward spiral" is intended to mirror one's relationship with God. The latticework which surrounds the observation deck is reportedly built in part from standard white PVC pipe (with the original specification markings still somewhat visible)<ref>roadsideamerica.com ''[http://www.roadsideamerica.com/sights/sightstory.php?tip_AttrId=%3D2914 Oral Roberts Prayer Tower]'', retrieved 8 October 2007</ref> and is meant as a semi-literal representation of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus on the cross, with red coloring for the blood Christ shed in death. The Seattle space needle inspired look along with the white, gold and black palette created an image of luxury. The luxurious image that was displayed conveyed Roberts condition and wealth gospel.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Grubiak|first=Margaret M.|date=2016-05-25|title=An Architecture for the Electronic Church: Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/619056|journal=Technology and Culture|language=en|volume=57|issue=2|pages=380–413|doi=10.1353/tech.2016.0066|pmid=27237069 |s2cid=24099698 |issn=1097-3729|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The tower's peak features an eternal flame representing Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
==See also== *Oral Roberts University *Oral Roberts *Jesus Calls Prayer Tower *Christian Broadcasting Network *Richard Roberts *Pat Robertson
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.oru.edu/ Oral Roberts University] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20200215155835/http://www.oklahomamodernblog.com/2009/07/oru-upgrades-not-all-good.html Oklahoma Modern] {{Oral Roberts University}} {{Authority control}}
{{coord|36.05056|N|95.95245|W|display=title|type:landmark_region:US-OK}}
Category:Oral Roberts University Category:Eternal flames Category:Towers in Oklahoma Category:Buildings and structures in Tulsa, Oklahoma Category:Googie architecture Category:Observation towers in the United States Category:Towers completed in 1967