The Sequoyah County Historical Society made their annual fall trip on Oct. 15.
They met at the society’s museum, 200 E. Creek in Sallisaw, and left for McAlester on a chartered Kats bus provided by Cherokee Nation.
They traveled through Stigler onto South Hwy. 82 through the winding Kiamichi Mountains, Red Oak, with their first stop in Hartshorne.
The group was welcomed by Jim Kurilko to visit a small historic church built in 1897 named Russian Orthodox Church, located southwest of Hartshorne on Russian Hill. The white framed structure with three onion domes was established by Slavic immigrants settling the area to work in Choctaw Nation Territory and Oklahoma’s coal mining industry. The Choctaw natives, due to superstitions, wouldn’t work the underground mines.
The church had many biblical paintings and very spiritual surroundings, the early members stood through two hour messages and sang praises vocally, no musical instruments.
The next stop was Krebs to visit St. Joseph Catholic Church, the oldest one in Oklahoma. A beautiful red brick building built in 1903, listed on the registar of historic places in 1980. It was adorned with high archway openings, stained glass windows, and paintings of Christ’s life and crucifixtion.
Krebs was established in 1885 by Italian Enclaves Across America. They are Italian-American neighborhoods living together with shops like bakeries, markets and churches, showcasing a rich history.
The group of 15 members and the bus driver had lunch at Roseann’s Italian Restaurant in Krebs, established in 1975.
After lunch, a short visit to Lovera’s Italian Market was a treat to see and buy Italian foods of meats, cheeses, breads, and sweet foods.
Their last stop was McAlester to visit the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, the oldest Oklahoma Masonic that was built in 1907, and remodeled in 1928-30.
The huge, brick, 4-story building is 140 ft. tall and covers a city block. A 1930 Kimball organ with 3,100 pipes stood tall, in midsts of huge column posts and stairways, with a beautiful ballroom and chapel on the top floor.
Through the Masonic teachings, the members learn how to become better men by overcoming life’s struggles of pride, greed and injustices. They discover the true meaning of life to be leaders and enjoy brotherly fellowship.
The group helps their communities and donates funds to help have free medical care to needy persons.
Their membership of 2,000 men, 10 years ago, has dwindled to 650 in 2025, due to aging members and decline in reaching younger men.
This historic building is in danger of closing due to maintenance, utility costs and declining interest.
The Sequoyah County historians headed home viewing the Lake Eufaula area, happy and tired, with new memories and historic pictures.
