Dr. Robert Jeffries expressed gratitude that no one was injured in the devastating fire that ripped through the First Baptist Church of Dallas on Friday and partially destroyed the historic landmark house of worship that has stood since 1890.
The fire reportedly broke out around 6 p.m. in the basement of the megachurch on the corner of San Jacinto and North El Bay streets in downtown Dallas.
Video showed heavy flames ravaging the landmark building and thick, black smoke billowing high into the Dallas skyline. Things seemed under control until flames flared up again around 7:35 p.m., causing a partial collapse of the chapel’s roof. Fox 4 Dallas I will report.
Fire breaks out at warehouse in California, firefighters put out
Dr. Robert Jeffries expressed gratitude that no one was injured in the massive fire that ripped through the First Baptist Church of Dallas on Friday. Dr. Jeffries is pictured with a scene from the fire in the background. (Fox 4 Dallas/KDFW)
Jeffries said there were about 2,000 children in the building, but they had left long before the four-alarm blaze began. The First Baptist Church of Dallas has about 16,000 members and is part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the world’s largest Baptist organization.
“This historic sanctuary has been the scene of many personal events, including my own. I was baptized here when I was 6 years old and ordained here when I was 21. It’s filled with so many memories,” Jeffries told Fox 4.
“But thank God no one was hurt. We had just finished Vacation Bible School with over 2,000 kids. They all went home, so God protected us through all of this.”
“We are thankful that our church is not made of bricks and mortar and wood, but of people. God’s people will endure, and First Baptist Church of Dallas will endure. And we are thankful for our many friends across the country who are praying for us right now.”
Dr. Robert Jeffries: Evangelicalism is alive and well – here’s why the movement survives
Jeffries posted on X at about 9:30 p.m. that the main fire had been extinguished.
Dallas Fire Department Deputy Chief Justin Ball told reporters the fire likely started in the basement, which houses the library and museum.
Jeffries said the deacons are concerned that church records in the library will be lost.
The church’s former pastor, OS Hawkins, said it was a “tragically sad day” for Church X members.
According to the Texas Historical Commission, the First Baptist Church of Dallas was founded in 1868, but the red brick building known as the historic sanctuary was not built until 1890.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Heavy smoke was seen in parts of First Baptist Church of Dallas on Friday. (Fox 4 Dallas/KDFW)
The church is the only one still standing in its original location in downtown Dallas, and in 1968 a historic marker was erected there.
The church posted on Facebook late Friday thanking emergency workers for their efforts battling the blaze and then announced that congregations would gather again this weekend.
“Either way, we will be gathering at church this Sunday,” the post read. “More details to come. We look forward to seeing you all there.”
Spray water on the fire (Fox 4 Dallas/KDFW)
