Vacant Brookside Baptist Church Awaits Redevelopment

Neighbors express frustration over lack of progress on the long-vacant property

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Brookside Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma has sat vacant for years since closing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Neighbors are growing increasingly impatient, wanting to see the property redeveloped into something that benefits the community, such as affordable housing, a dog park, or community space. However, the property owner has not provided any updates on future plans for the site.

Why it matters

The vacant church has become an eyesore in the Brookside neighborhood, raising concerns about property values, public safety, and the lack of community resources in the area. Residents are eager to see the space repurposed in a way that meets the needs of local residents.

The details

The Brookside Baptist Church closed its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has remained vacant since then. In 2023, local news reported the property had not been used, and in 2024 the Brookside Business Association indicated the building would likely be demolished. However, two years later, there has been no visible progress on the site. Nearby residents Melissa Wilson and Ben Gehers have expressed frustration over the lack of action, suggesting the property could be transformed into a dog park, library, affordable housing, or medical offices.

  • The Brookside Baptist Church closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
  • In 2023, the property was reported to have remained unused.
  • In 2024, the Brookside Business Association said the building would likely be demolished.
  • As of 2026, there has been no visible progress on the vacant property.

The players

Melissa Wilson

A nearby resident who lives near the vacant Brookside Baptist Church property.

Ben Gehers

Another nearby resident who lives near the vacant Brookside Baptist Church property.

Clark Neeley

The property owner of the vacant Brookside Baptist Church, who declined to comment on future plans for the site.

Bill Beichler

The individual handling the church transaction, according to the Brookside Business Association.

Brookside Business Association

The local business association that provided updates on the vacant church property to the media.

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What they’re saying

“The first thing I thought was how long has this been abandoned?”

— Melissa Wilson, Nearby resident (KJRH)

“It's not good when it sits here for years and years.”

— Ben Gehers, Nearby resident (KJRH)

“It would be great to put something up there. A dog park, a little library or something like that, some kind of community area.”

— Melissa Wilson, Nearby resident (KJRH)

“Maybe affordable housing or medical offices.”

— Ben Gehers, Nearby resident (KJRH)

“No news to report at this time.”

— Clark Neeley, Property owner (KJRH)

What’s next

The Brookside Business Association stated there are no new developments at this time, and the property owner, Clark Neeley, declined to provide any updates on future plans for the vacant church property.

The takeaway

The prolonged vacancy of the Brookside Baptist Church has become a source of frustration for the surrounding community, who are eager to see the property redeveloped into something that benefits the neighborhood. The lack of progress and communication from the property owner has left residents uncertain about the future of this prominent site, raising concerns about the impact on the local area.