Amid the burned rubble of the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Dallas, cleanup crews discovered the pulpit intact. As ChurchLeaders reported, on July 19 firefighters worked for three hours to extinguish a four-alarm fire at the downtown megachurch.
Drone footage shows extensive damage within First Baptist’s historic chapel, built in 1890. Yet not everything was lost. Three exterior walls still stand, and local news footage shows someone wheeling away a pulpit.
O.S. Hawkins, chancellor of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, shared a photo of the pulpit on social media. “So indescribably grateful for this miracle,” he wrote. “In the midst of the total destruction of the church in the fire this 130 year old pulpit of Truett and Criswell and the others of us somehow someway miraculously survived. Thank you Lord.”
So indescribably grateful for this miracle. In the midst of the total destruction of the church in the fire this 130 year old pulpit of Truett and Criswell and the others of us somehow someway miraculously survived. Thank you Lord. pic.twitter.com/nlQ6hQIklz
— O S Hawkins (@OSHawkins) July 22, 2024
Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, reposted the image, writing, “A true miracle—especially if you saw the flames engulfing the place this pulpit was displayed.” On Sunday (July 21), Jeffress told congregants, gathered off-site, that the church would rebuild and continue sharing God’s Word.
Fire Investigation Continues at First Baptist Dallas
While investigators try to determine the cause of the blaze, leaders at First Baptist Dallas are working to meet back on the campus soon. They’re also looking ahead to preserve and rebuild the site.
Ben Lovvorn, executive pastor of First Baptist Dallas, told the Dallas NBC affiliate the goal is to welcome worshipers back to the main sanctuary, next to the historic chapel, by July 28. To accomplish that, crews are prioritizing clean air and sanitation.
Lovvorn, whose family has attended First Baptist Dallas for five generations, said pastors and engineers shared a lengthy report with fire officials on July 22. “It presents a plan that would allow us to construct a structure that would help us secure the building,” said the pastor. “It would also preserve the site so that they’re able to do what they want to do.”
On July 23, Senior Pastor Jeffress posted that Dallas Demolition was on-site to “help with cleanup and debris removal.” Soon after that, Lovvorn shared a video update about next steps. After thanking people for their prayers and support, the executive pastor said teams are working to prepare the new worship center for services. Although “a lot of unanswered questions” remain, “we are making great, great progress,” he said.
