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DALLAS — The historic First Baptist Church of Dallas on Sunday announced one of the country’s largest church building programs: a $130 million project to revamp its six-block campus near the downtown cultural arts district.
"If [Dallas Cowboys owner] Jerry Jones can spend $1.5 billion to build a temple to the god of sports 13 miles away, we can build a spiritual oasis in the heart of Dallas," the Rev. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor, told a filled sanctuary.Members stood to show approval for the fundraising campaign after Jeffress said it was a "sign from God" that $62 million has already been pledged. The members will have a formal vote later. Among those contributing "generously" were Hollis and Donna Sullivan of Fort Worth, whom Jeffress said he has known since he was pastor at First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls."The Sullivans are not even members of this church, but we’re working on them," he said.The new glass-front worship center, designed by Dallas architectural firm the Beck Group, would seat 3,000, doubling the size of the present sanctuary, said Mark Lovvorn, chairman of the 16-member planning and development committee. The center would include large high-definition television screens above the stage and some historic touches, such as kneelers, said Lovvorn, chairman of Providence Bank of Texas, based in Southlake. Plans also call for tearing down five aging buildings. But First Baptist’s sanctuary, built in 1890, would remain for weddings and special occasions. The old sanctuary’s soaring steeple would be restored. It was removed in 1963 because of weakening supports. A curving glass sky bridge over St. Paul Street would connect buildings. A six-story education building would include side-by-side gymnasiums and a roof garden looking out over the city."We will be adding an acre of green space to downtown Dallas," Jeffress said. A highlight would be a soaring fountain topped by a cross with a pool below for outdoor baptisms. About 800 parking spaces would also be added, Lovvorn said.He and Jeffress said the church can take advantage of an unusual "window of opportunity" to build while construction costs are down. Under Jeffress’ two-year leadership, the congregation has grown, averaging about 3,500 each Sunday, said John Grable, director of communications. He said 5,000 recently attended the fall festival."I think it’s wonderful," longtime member Janet Naramore of Dallas said of the project. She expressed optimism that money can be raised. "When God leads you to do something, he always provides."Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of First Baptist, said the project would complement other downtown projects, such as the recently opened $354 million Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.The Rev. James Bryant, 73, a member and former associate pastor of First Baptist who is a professor at Criswell College, said the project is necessary to reach a new generation."Like Dennis Swanberg, a Southern Baptist humorist and minister, said, 'We are planting trees for somebody else to sit under,’ " said Bryant, also a former pastor of Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in Fort Worth.
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