On April 1, 2025, Oklahoma City, Putnam City (PCBC) Pastor Bill Hulse challenged his members to pay off the remaining balance of a $1.1 million long-standing debt before the church’s 100th anniversary in June 2026.

The members stepped forward to accept the challenge and on April 30 this year, Hulse announced the $1.1 million in debt was paid, leaving the church unencumbered to celebrate its centennial anniversary debt free for the first time since 1998.

On May 10, the church celebrated the momentous achievement with a note-burning ceremony.

The seeds of PCBC were in a multi denominational union Sunday School originally meeting in a home and later meeting in the Putnam City Schools public building, From this group of worshippers a more Southern Baptist group of believers emerged. They wanted a church of their own, and on June 20, 1926, they met in a brush Arbor and organized PCBC with 33 members.

The Great Depression had a significant effect on a building program which was organized soon after the church began. After meetings of the Women’s missionary Union, the ladies made wooden seats. The church began to prosper as the people tithed and prayed and the church continued to grow. PCBC was nine years old and hardly out of the mission stage itself when it shared some of its members to help organize Oklahoma City, West 10th Street in 1935.

This church planting heart has continued through the years:

  • West 10th Street Baptist Church August 1935
  • First Baptist Church Bethany September 1945
  • Tulakes Baptist Church April 1954
  • Cherokee Hills Baptist Church October 1964
  • Grace of God Hispanic Baptist Church April 2023
  • Now in process of launching a new Hispanic church with a target date of 2027.

Over the years, PCBC continued to grow and to reach its community. Upon building a new property at NW 41st and Grove St. in the Putnam City School District, the church grew and began to reach its neighborhoods.

Pastor Rod Masteller served the church for 20 years and during his tenure, the church grew to more than 2,400 in worship.

New property was given to the church, and plans were formulated to move to a new location at 11401 N. Rockwell Ave. This was a time of divided opinion as some saw the need to reach the growth area of Oklahoma City and others wanted to stay where the church was.

Pastor Jerry Mckinney led the move to the new property and building in 1998. These were challenging times and attendance dipped under 400. The sale of the old property fell through, leaving the church $2.5 million short of the money they projected to have for the new building.

That forced the church into a long-term debt payment that became a significant part of the budget.

In December 2010, the church called Hulse, former youth minister, to return as senior pastor.

Under his leadership the church began to grow again, and many young families were reached. In 2018 the church began to realize there was a critical need to provide space for children and their families. In 2019 and 2020 they built additional children’s space and remodeled preschool space, a project costing approximately $2 million that was paid for upon its opening in 2020.

As with most churches Covid had a significant impact on the church, but as society opened back up, the church seized the opportunity and began to grow again, averaging almost 700 worshippers each Sunday by 2025.

PCBC will celebrate its centennial June 13-14.

Members of every generation who have been part of the church throughout the years have been invited to come together for a special time of reunion and fellowship in the Worship Center from 3-4 p.m., Sat., June 13. This is designed to be a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet others who share in the story of the church, and reflect on the many seasons of God’s faithfulness.

“Immediately following the family reunion event will be an outdoor family fun night. We will have food trucks, games, inflatables, and activities for all ages to enjoy,” said Bob Shelton, administrative pastor. This will be a fun and relaxed time for our church family and community to celebrate together, so be sure to invite your friends, neighbors, and anyone who would enjoy a great evening together.

“The centennial celebration weekend will conclude with a special Sunday service during regular service times, from 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Services will be centered on celebrating 100 years of God’s faithfulness to PCBC, with meaningful moments of worship, reflection, and gratitude as we look back on all that God has done and look ahead with anticipation for what is to come.”