Leaders of religious groups across the community gathered Monday to bless the exterior basement wall of Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church in Tulsa.  

The basement at Vernon AME Church survived the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. Inspired by the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Reverend Dr. Robert Turner said this is a place for people of all religions to come together and find healing and rest. 

Reverend Jesse Jackson, along with faith leaders from across the community and elected officials from other states, prayed over the church Monday.

At the end of the ceremony, families put their hands on the wall to bless the bricks and people of all faiths who will come to pray here, and ask for guidance, direction, and healing.