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Wichita Mountains - Holy City


category : Landmarks
Wichita Mountains - Holy City While you're in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, be sure to visit the Holy City of the Wichitas, an interesting manmade intrusion that is historic in its own right. Built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the 1930's, the Holy City is located on 110 acres and features 22 native granite buildings including the c. 1936 World Chapel. A natural amphitheater is the setting for the nation's longest running Easter passion play in America, The Prince of Peace.

Holy City was founded by Reverend Anthony Mark Wallock who viewed the Wichita Mountains as resembling the hills and mountains of the Holy Land. The Chapel of the Holy City, built of native stone, was completed in 1936. The design, inspired by a church in Alexandria, Virginia, is reminiscent of an Old World Temple. In the interior of the Chapel are wood carvings, paintings and murals of the Biblical days of Christ in 1933. Government land in the Wichita National Forest Reserve was designated by the U.S. Government for the site of the Holy City and its Easter Pageant. The nationally famous Easter Pageant is a dramatization of the life of Christ held on Easter Eve.

This annual event is held the Saturday evening before Easter.


Admission: FREE VIEWING
Phone: 800-872-4540
Fax: 580-429-9323
Our Website:www.theholycitylawton.com

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is located 25 miles northwest of Lawton, Oklahoma. From Interstate 44, take exit 45 west 10 miles to the Refuge gate. If coming in from Highway 62, take Highway 115 (Cache exit) north to the Refuge gate. Contact Refuge Headquarters for more information.

Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center Hours:

The Visitor Center is closed on Tuesdays but is open every other day of the week from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
The Center is closed on major holidays, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day.
It opens at 1:30pm on Easter Sunday.
For further information about the Visitor Center, please contact Refuge Headquarters.

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
(Six miles west of the Visitors Center on Hwy. 49
Rt. 1, Box 448
Indiahoma, OK 73552

Come visit us in Lawton, Oklahoma

Attractions and Upcoming Events

New Holy City History Book Available

Oklahoma City author, Jacqulein Vaughn Lowry has authored a new pictorial history book about the Holy City of the Wichitas. Published by Arcadia Publishing company, the book chronicles the rich history of the Holy City from 1926

Lawton, OK Literature

Wichita Mountains NWR - Hiking

The Refuge maintains four series of hiking trails as well as wayside exhibits throughout the Public Use Area. While visitors may hike anywhere in the Public Use Area of the Refuge, these trail systems are maintained for optimum viewing opportunities, ease of access, and diversity of scenery.

Lawton, OK Hiking Trails

Percussive Arts Society Museum

The Percussive Arts Museum and Library are currently closed and have been moved to Indianapolis, IN with the administrative offices as of April 2007. The PAS Museum and Library will open in a new space downtown Indianapolis in 2008.

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Carnegie Library Town Hall

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Wichita Mountains NWR - Rock Climbing

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, the Access Fund and the Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition have come together to support and present a quality climbing experience at the Refuge. The following guidelines have been established between the three organizations.

Lawton, OK Rappelling

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