An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of a devastating four-alarm fire that destroyed the historic chapel at First Baptist Dallas Church. Despite this setback, church leaders are determined to continue services in the coming days and weeks.
Three days after the fire, people remain drawn to the site, eager to see what remains of the historic chapel in downtown Dallas. For many with deep ties to the church, the rubble represents decades of cherished memories. Executive Pastor Ben Lovvorn, who was baptized and later married in the chapel, shared his personal connection: “Believe it or not, my family has been in this church for five generations, over one hundred years. So, I grew up, just like our pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress, sitting in that room, the historic sanctuary.”
In the short term, Lovvorn and other church leaders are focused on bringing the congregation back into the adjacent sanctuary. This will require ensuring the air is clean and items are sanitized before Sunday morning services.
The historic chapel, a Victorian-style red brick church built in 1890 and designated a Texas Historic Landmark, went up in flames on Friday evening. It took about 50 units and three hours to control the blaze. Thankfully, no deaths or injuries were reported.
On Monday, pastors and engineers presented a 200-page report to Dallas Fire-Rescue, outlining a plan to secure the building and allow investigators full access. Lovvorn explained, “It presents a plan that would allow us to construct a structure that would help us secure the building. In the meantime, make sure everything is safe. It would also preserve the site so that they’re able to do what they want to do.”
While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, church services will continue. Although the damage to the historic chapel is extensive, there is hope that what remains can be preserved and incorporated into future construction on the site.
“There are people across the country and even across the world who have ties to First Baptist Dallas,” Lovvorn said. “But our message to them is First Baptist Dallas stands stronger than ever. We are more committed than ever to transforming the world with the truth of God’s word.”
