Church members grieve massive fire at historic First Baptist Dallas sanctuary
The sight of devastation and the smell of smoke remains outside First Baptist Dallas, one day after a four-alarm fire tore through the original sanctuary.
Heartbreak and sorrow persist for the congregation of a Dallas church following a massive fire that ravaged their historic sanctuary late Friday. The devastation and the lingering smell of smoke permeated the surroundings of First Baptist Dallas a day after a four-alarm fire ravaged the original sanctuary. Dallas Fire-Rescue remained vigilant in monitoring hot spots on Saturday, and thankfully, no injuries were reported.
The heart of downtown Dallas on Saturday morning was filled with the cacophony of fire engines and the stunned expressions of onlookers. Executive pastor, Dr. Ben Lovvorn, conveyed that the building seems to be a total loss, his voice laden with emotion. Church members struggled to come to terms with the surreal sight of the charred shell that held so many cherished memories.
Dr. Lovvorn shared that his family's connection to the church spanned five generations and over a century. He experienced pivotal moments in that sanctuary, from accepting Christ to getting engaged and married. The historic sanctuary, which first opened its doors in 1890 and remained in use until the completion of a new facility in 2013, stands as a significant downtown landmark. It has played host to visits from esteemed figures, including Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, and Donald Trump.
Sari McCoy, a longtime member of the church since her infancy, expressed her profound sorrow at the loss of a place steeped in cherished memories and reverence. The sanctuary, constructed in 1890, served as the primary place of worship until the congregation transitioned to the new building in 2013. McCoy's sentiments were a mix of grief for the loss of the sanctuary and relief that no one was harmed and that the church, as a community, remained intact.
Dallas Fire Rescue believes the fire originated in the sanctuary's basement around 6 p.m. on Friday, requiring several hours to bring it under control. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is lending their expertise to investigate the fire's cause. Robert Borse, a representative of Dallas Fire-Rescue, acknowledged that while it is not standard practice to involve the ATF, they were called upon due to initial reports of a "boom," which has since been disproven.
Despite the devastation, McCoy's resilience shines through as she affirms, "We move forward, and God has his hand in everything." The scorched walls bear witness to over a century's worth of memories, and the congregation holds on to the hope of rebuilding the sanctuary.
First Baptist Dallas will hold a unified service at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center's main arena. Free parking is available, but childcare will not be provided. The service will be live-streamed at icampus.firstcampus.org. Dr. Lovvorn extends an invitation to the community, encouraging everyone to join them in worship.
Church leaders are expected to provide a structural engineering report on Sunday to assess whether the building needs to be demolished. As the congregation navigates this challenging time, their faith remains unwavering, and they look forward with hope and determination.
The heart of downtown Dallas on Saturday morning was filled with the cacophony of fire engines and the stunned expressions of onlookers. Executive pastor, Dr. Ben Lovvorn, conveyed that the building seems to be a total loss, his voice laden with emotion. Church members struggled to come to terms with the surreal sight of the charred shell that held so many cherished memories.
Dr. Lovvorn shared that his family's connection to the church spanned five generations and over a century. He experienced pivotal moments in that sanctuary, from accepting Christ to getting engaged and married. The historic sanctuary, which first opened its doors in 1890 and remained in use until the completion of a new facility in 2013, stands as a significant downtown landmark. It has played host to visits from esteemed figures, including Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, and Donald Trump.
Sari McCoy, a longtime member of the church since her infancy, expressed her profound sorrow at the loss of a place steeped in cherished memories and reverence. The sanctuary, constructed in 1890, served as the primary place of worship until the congregation transitioned to the new building in 2013. McCoy's sentiments were a mix of grief for the loss of the sanctuary and relief that no one was harmed and that the church, as a community, remained intact.
Dallas Fire Rescue believes the fire originated in the sanctuary's basement around 6 p.m. on Friday, requiring several hours to bring it under control. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is lending their expertise to investigate the fire's cause. Robert Borse, a representative of Dallas Fire-Rescue, acknowledged that while it is not standard practice to involve the ATF, they were called upon due to initial reports of a "boom," which has since been disproven.
Despite the devastation, McCoy's resilience shines through as she affirms, "We move forward, and God has his hand in everything." The scorched walls bear witness to over a century's worth of memories, and the congregation holds on to the hope of rebuilding the sanctuary.
First Baptist Dallas will hold a unified service at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center's main arena. Free parking is available, but childcare will not be provided. The service will be live-streamed at icampus.firstcampus.org. Dr. Lovvorn extends an invitation to the community, encouraging everyone to join them in worship.
Church leaders are expected to provide a structural engineering report on Sunday to assess whether the building needs to be demolished. As the congregation navigates this challenging time, their faith remains unwavering, and they look forward with hope and determination.