A catastrophic four-alarm fire engulfed the 134-year-old historic sanctuary of First Baptist Dallas, an NRB member, on the evening of July 19. Even through this devastating time, the church continues to praise God and express gratitude for His sovereignty.
“While this is a difficult circumstance, we know the church isn’t about a building but the people, and we are grateful for our church body,” First Baptist wrote on their website. “We praise God for His protection and provision through this circumstance and trust that He will work it together for good.”
The fire that engulfed the Victorian-style red brick church, a designated Texas Historic Landmark built in 1890, posed a great risk due to the building’s age and proximity to other structures. Miraculously, no injuries were reported. In an emotional interview while the fire was ongoing, Pastor Robert Jeffress said that around 2,000 children and volunteers had been on the campus for vacation Bible school earlier that day.
The Victorian-style red brick church, a designated Texas Historic Landmark built in 1890. Photo courtesy of First Baptist Dallas.
On July 24, they received approval from the city to begin the work of restoring and preserving the historic walls which survived the fire.
The evangelical megachurch, with 16,000 members, holds its main services in a modern worship center next door to the historic sanctuary. In an update on July 23, Executive Pastor Dr. Ben Lovvorn shared that not only was their historic sanctuary affected by the fire, but their entire campus was filled with smoke, along with most of downtown Dallas. CBS News Texas meteorologist Jeff Ray reported that smoke and heat from the fire could be picked up on radar. Officials said at least 100 firefighters were on scene more than three hours that evening.
First Baptist Dallas suspended all activities the week immediately following the fire, as a repair team worked to clean and repair their worship space. They held Sunday service at the Dallas Convention Center for two weeks. The congregation returned to their main campus worship center for a single, unified service on August 4. The church anticipates resuming its regular Sunday School program and worship schedule by August 18.
Following their first service back on their campus, Jeffress expressed the renewed excitement felt by the congregation for the hand of God on the future of their church.
“I really have seen a great revival,” Jeffress told FOX 4. “Our people are already excited and motivated. But they realize God has a great purpose for First Baptist Dallas, and we feel honored to be a part of this great congregation.”
The first week after the fire, crews worked 24 hours a day to continue restoring the rest of their campus back to normal operations.
“This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint,” the church wrote on its website. “But we know that God will provide at each step!”
On Sunday, August 11, First Baptist Dallas will recreate a historical church photo by gathering all members in front of the sanctuary ruins.
Photo courtesy of First Baptist Dallas.
“We’ll have the picture of all of our members and the words ‘We Are First Baptist Church Dallas,’” Jeffress said. “It’s not a building, it is us.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by fire officials, though it is believed to have originated in the sanctuary’s basement.
Executive Pastor Lovvorn has continued to provide video updates nearly every weekday following the fire. First Baptist Church Dallas appreciates sustaining prayer for the work happening throughout their campus. They encourage people to give as God leads to their Mission 1:8 WIN NOW fund or the “Church Campus Redevelopment” fund. To give, visit this link.
First Baptist Church Dallas has been an NRB member since 1987.