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First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas announces $130 million campus renovation
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Image: First Baptist Church of Dallas
Once the most recognized church in the Southern Baptist Convention, the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas has announced a renovation campaign for its downtown campus. An all glass front, soaring fountain topped by a cross and an acre of rooftop green space are some of the highlights of the project. Senior pastor, Robert Jeffress, told the church, "If Jerry Jones [owner of the Dallas Cowboys] can spend $1.5 billion to build a temple to the god of sports 13 miles away, we can build a spiritual oasis in the heart of Dallas," reported The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The project would require the demolition of five current buildings, all of which are aged, but will retain the main sanctuary, constructed in 1890, although its use would convert to weddings and special occasions. A glass sky bridge would connect some of the buildings, while a six story educational building would include gymnasiums and the rooftop garden.
From the church's website:
The proposed plan, designed by innovative Dallas-based architect firm, The Beck Group, will physically change the landscape of the Dallas skyline, galvanizing a clear presence of the church at the center of the city.The 1.5 million square-feet campus, which will be certified by the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System, will take the current fortress-like buildings and create an open, accessible glass structure.
The new worship center will seat 3,000, nearly twice as many as the 1890 sanctuary, and will include modern innovations like high-definition television screens--seven of them. The fountain with ornamental cross will sit amid a shallow pool, which may also be used for outdoor baptisms.
The as of yet unapproved plan was greeted with enthusiastic response from attendees, but is being questioned by public commenters at the Star-Telegram website. With themes remniscient of today's justice aware young adults, a commenter identified as "r6346" observed:
In these times of need and suffering of the world, wouldn't Jesus be proud. And by the way, the Cowboy [sic] Stadium is for entertainment.
Another, "sarcasticallystooopid," noted:
Hey reaching a new generation is not done by blowing money of a fancy church, it's done by giving back.
"Cronopio" asked, dryly,
What's the problem? It's not as if there are any hungry or homeless people in Dallas...
The church, however, believes "the new campus will complete the circle of resources meeting the mind, body and spiritual needs of Dallas residents." Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2010 with a goal to be completed debt-free in 2013.
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