Additional Coverage:
DALLAS – A historic Dallas church community is grappling with pain and loss after a catastrophic fire ravaged their beloved sanctuary late last Friday.
The aftermath of the blaze at First Baptist Dallas was still palpable outside the church on Saturday, with the air heavy with the scent of smoke as Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel worked to manage lingering hot spots. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
Downtown Dallas was vibrant with the noise of fire engines and the sight of shocked residents Saturday morning. Dr.
Ben Lovvorn, the Executive Pastor, confirmed that the building is likely a total loss. “It’s hard to see,” he remarked.
Parishioners struggled to accept the reality of the burned remnants of a space enriched with personal histories. “My family has attended this church for over a century, spanning five generations. I grew up in that sanctuary, came to my faith there, and celebrated both my engagement and wedding in that very room,” Lovvorn shared, visibly emotional.
Since its opening in 1890, the historic sanctuary had been a cornerstone in downtown Dallas, drawing notable figures including Presidents Woodrow C. Wilson, Gerald Ford, George H.
W. Bush, and Donald Trump, until it ceased regular use in 2013 upon the opening of a new facility.
Longtime churchgoer Sari McCoy expressed her despair, reminiscing about the profound moments shared within the sanctuary walls. “It’s truly heartbreaking.
We lost more than just a building; we lost a repository of cherished memories and shared devotion,” she said. McCoy also felt a mixture of relief that no one was harmed and a strong belief in the resilience of the church community.
Authorities disclosed that the fire originated in the basement around 6 p.m. Friday and required extensive efforts to contain. The investigation into the cause is supported by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, following reports of an explosion which were later debunked.
As the community looks to the future, McCoy remains hopeful, “We move forward, and God has his hand in everything.”
With the sanctuary’s walls narrating stories from a bygone era, the congregation is hopeful about rebuilding it. In the meantime, services will continue with a scheduled gathering at 11 a.m.
Sunday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center’s main arena, with live streaming available online. No childcare services will be provided.
As the church awaits a crucial structural engineering report due Sunday to determine the future of the building, Lovvorn encouraged the wider community, “We’d encourage everybody to join us and to come worship with us.”
Church leaders now face decisions about potentially demolishing the damaged structure, a significant symbol of their faith and history.