DALLAS (ABP)—One of the Southern Baptist Convention’s most historic and prominent congregations officially has embarked—with four simultaneous Oct. 30 building implosions—on what it is calling the biggest church renovation-and-expansion project in modern history.
Members of First Baptist Church of Dallas joined dignitaries gathered to observe the demolition of the buildings, which stood on land the congregation will use for a $115 million project to build a new, modern sanctuary and recreate the church's historic campus.
|
For the first time in 83 years, as dust clears from the implosion of four buildings Oct. 30, the morning sunlight shines unobstructed on the historic sanctuary steeple of First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas. (PHOTO/Jonathan Ivy/Courtesy of First Baptist Church in Dallas)
|
“The last time anyone has seen this view of our church was 1927,” said First Baptist Pastor Robert Jeffress. “And now, we are seeing the sanctuary in a whole new light.”
“This is a very positive (thing) for the city of Dallas,” said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, who attends First Baptist Church.
“The best part of the story is yet to come. This change is a new gateway into an important part of Dallas. It will give the entire downtown area a different feel.”
Demolition experts used 450 pounds of dynamite to bring down the church’s Burt Building—which dated from 1927—as well as its Christian Education Building, Ruth Ray Hunt Building and Veal Building.
Those structures—some of which originally had been built as office buildings that the church acquired and converted—soon will be joined by the Truett and Mary C buildings, to be demolished by wrecking ball.
Once debris is cleared, construction will begin on a facility that includes a glass-enclosed sanctuary seating 3,000 as well as educational facilities and a large public green space surrounding a cross-topped fountain.
The project is one of several massive building projects ongoing or recently completed in downtown Dallas, and church officials expect it to be completed in time for Easter 2013.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
“As I look around downtown, I see spectacular temples of commerce, culture and government—many new, some restored to former glory, and all intended to stand for generations,” Jeffress said. “The kingdom of God needs a home to equal them—a spiritual oasis in the middle of downtown.”
Demolition experts took special care to shield the church’s historic sanctuary from potential blast damage by boarding up its stained-glass windows and erecting a massive earthen berm to prevent pieces of debris from bouncing off the street and damaging the sanctuary. The ornate worship hall—much of which dates to 1890—served as home base for two legendary Baptist pastors, the late W.A. Criswell and George W. Truett.
Once the new sanctuary is completed, the historic building will continue to be used for weddings, funerals and other special services.
Church officials say they already have pledges secured to cover the project’s price tag.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.