Skywatch Friday: Praying Hands

I have been in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a few days and I decided to go see the "Praying Hands", a bronze sculpture located at the entrance to Oral Roberts University.  (I did not realize that ORU was still an active university.)


I've read that the hands are the largest praying hands sculpture in the world standing 60 feet high and weighing 30 tons.


The hands were originally located outside the City of Faith Medical and Research Center and were moved to their current location in 1991 after the hospital closed.


Years ago my hubbie and I visited the hands with my brother.  I do recall there was a geocache under this electrical box behind the sculpture.  No, I did not look to see if it was still there.


These three towers  near the hands are Robert's former hospital.  The complex is now called the CityPlex Towers and is occupied by several businesses and a few medical facilities.  Oral Roberts had a vision to build the complex in 1977 and it opened in 1980.  Unfortunately it was doomed from the start and closed in 1989 deeply in debt.  The hands were originally set at the front of the hospital and were called the "Healing Hands".


I decided to go for a little walk around the campus.  The architecture is very futuristic or art deco and reminds me of the Jetsons cartoons.  The 200 foot "Prayer Tower" is an attention grabber.  I found the architecture very beautiful and unique.

Whether you're a praying person or not, you have to appreciate a beautiful piece of artwork like the Praying Hands.

Linking with Skywatch Friday


Comments

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said…
The Prayinhg Hands sculpture is very imprressive as is the Prayer Tower.
February 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said…
The Praying Hands sculpture is very impressive!
February 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Joyful said…
Oooh, I love the photos of the praying hands and the prayer tower. I remember so many years ago watching these structures go up (on television not in person).
February 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Lisa said…
You're right, that Prayer Tower looks right out of the Jetsons!
February 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Yogi♪♪♪ said…
ORU is revitalized after they got new management. The campus was run down and in poor repair back in the day but the new people have got corporate donations to help with new facilities. I've always loved the Hands. They photograph very well. The prayer tower is also iconic.
Did you know that the prayer tower is a three dimensional cross?
The architecture style is called Googie a branch of midcentury modern.
March 4, 2025 at 6:30 AM
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