In 1956, thousands of Oklahomans flocked to the Billy Graham Crusade to hear his sermon

In June 1956, evangelist Billy Graham brought his four-week crusade to the state fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

A story written by Religion Editor Ray Shaw on the front page of the June 4, 1956, Oklahoma City Times reported:

BILLY GRAHAM, daring the devil and the weather, preached to 15,239 persons Sunday. Forty-five heard his plea and marched down the aisle.

Estimates reported in the Times were that Graham's personable sermons attracted about 100,000 people per week. And a total of about 5,000 people turned their hearts over to Christ during the gatherings throughout the month at the fairgrounds.

When the crusade culminated July 1 at Owen Field in Norman for the final night, about 40,000 followers attended to hear Graham speak.

"You'll never come to a football game here without remembering this scene," Graham said from his gridiron pulpit.

University of Oklahoma football coaches Bud Wilkinson and Gomer Jones watched from the stadium press box, a story reported in The Daily Oklahoman.

More than 1,300 people encircled Graham on Owen Field toward the end of the evening service, having answered the evangelist's call to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: In 1956, thousands of Oklahomans flocked to the Billy Graham Crusade to hear his sermon