The Pearl in Tulsa in Tulsa County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
The Church Studio
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 8, 2025
1. The Church Studio Marker
National Historic Landmark
National Park Service
United States Department
of the Interior
This building was erected in 1915 as Grace M.E. Church. The site's national significance occurred in 1972 when music pioneer, Leon Russell, purchased the church and turned it into a world-renowned recording studio and home office to Shelter Records.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1972.
Location. 36° 9.395′ N, 95° 58.167′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is in The Pearl. It is at the intersection of South Trenton Avenue and East 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on South Trenton Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 S Trenton Ave, Tulsa OK 74120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation and specifically in the Cherokee Nation. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Leyh Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios, Tulsa, Oklahoma (approx. 0.6 miles away); Tulsa Monument Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dry Cleaners (approx.
this page online
More about this marker. The studio is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has not been named as a National Historic Landmark, which is a higher classification.
Also see . . .
1. "The Church Studio" - Tulsa, OK - LoyalTV E134 (video). In the 1970s, it wasn't uncommon to spot George Harrison, Bob Dylan or Tom Petty strolling through Tulsa's Pearl District. What drew them there? It was Leon Russell and his legendary Church Studio. This week on LoyalTV, join us in Tulsa to explore the studio's past and renewed present as a museum and musical institute for the next generation of musicians. (Uploaded by BancFirst Oklahoma, Sept. 26, 2022) (Submitted on May 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. A Brief History of The Church Studio. The historic church became a recording studio and home office for Shelter
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 9, 2025
2. The Church Studio Marker
3. The Church Studio (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the studio, which was listed in 2017. (Prepared by Rachel Nugent and Rachel Barnhart; via National Park Service) (Submitted on May 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 9, 2025
3. The Church Studio
Shelter Records in Billboard magazine, Feb. 28, 1970; via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain), circa February 28, 1970
4. Leon Russell (1942-2016)
The musician and songwriter (born Claude Russell Bridges) was involved with numerous best-selling records spanning multiple genres during a 60-year career.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
