A four-alarm fire over the weekend destroyed much of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas’s chapel but left intact the cherished 130-year-old pulpit that was a cornerstone for some of the congregation’s most beloved pastors.
Built in 1890, this historic chapel in downtown Dallas was located next to the church’s current chapel. It remained in active use until the church was renovated in 2013, during which time it was preserved as a secondary worship center and a treasured historic landmark.
Church members and staff say the preservation of the pulpit, which was used by pastors such as the Rev. George Truett (1867-1944) and the Rev. W. A. Criswell (1909-2002), is a testament to God’s blessing.
“To see the flames engulf the area where this pulpit was on display was a true miracle,” said the church’s current pastor. Robert JeffriesI wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
It is truly a miracle, especially when you see the area in which it was displayed engulfed in flames. https://t.co/oODSBYhvFp
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) July 22, 2024
“Words cannot express how grateful I am for this miracle,” former pastor O.S. Hawkins wrote to X. “While the fire completely destroyed the church, somehow this pulpit, with its 130 years of history belonging to Truett and Criswell and our congregation, miraculously survived. Thank you, Lord.”
I am thankful beyond words for this miracle. While the fire completely destroyed our church, somehow, this 130-year-old Truett and Criswell pulpit and us, the congregation, miraculously survived. Thank you, Lord. pic.twitter.com/nlQ6hQIklz
— OS Hawkins (@OSHawkins) July 22, 2024
Congregants worshipped at the city’s Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center over the weekend. Plans for this Sunday have yet to be determined, but the church may return to its original house of worship.
“We are still hopeful that we will be able to worship on this campus this coming Sunday,” Lead Pastor Ben Loveborn said in a video Wednesday. “We don’t know yet if that will be possible. We won’t actually know until later this week. What we do know is that we will be gathering this Sunday. So it will either be in the worship center on the campus of First Baptist Church of Dallas or we will be back at the Dallas Convention Center.”
The interior of the historic basilica was largely destroyed, but the exterior walls still remain, and Jeffries said the church will be rebuilt.
Dr. Ben LoVaughn’s 7/24/24 video update focuses on our ongoing collaboration with Dallas Fire and the City of Dallas. We extend our gratitude to the Mayor, Fire Chief and many others who have worked with us to ensure the safety and preservation of our historic sanctuary. pic.twitter.com/kXeuzFP23p
— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) July 24, 2024
“We have received permission from the city to begin work to preserve these historic walls,” Loveborn said, “and while there are no guarantees as to how the work will proceed or whether we will be successful, we have permission to try. We intend to do everything we can to preserve the exterior walls of this historic sanctuary.”
Video: Pulpit at First Baptist Church of Dallas survives four-alarm fire | CBS Texas
Photo credit: ©YouTube/CBS Texas
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
