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Nov 1, 2009 5:47 pm US/Central
First Baptist Dallas Announces Major Expansion
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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An artist rendering of the new building for First Baptist Church of Dallas.
First Baptist Church of Dallas
One of the largest and well known churches in the country will soon be getting a facelift.
Built in 1891, the First Baptist Church of Dallas will get a new look starting next year.
On Sunday, church leaders announced plans for a $130 million expansion to the church facilities. They say it will be the largest building campaign of any church in the United States.
"Right now our church resembles a concrete fortress in many ways. We wanted to open it up, to have an inviting atmosphere," said Pastor Robert Jeffress.
The plans for the church campus include a high-tech 3,000 seat worship center, which will double the church's current capacity. There will also be an education center and 500-space parking garage.
"No longer do you have to drive 30 miles to find an open, beautiful church campus," Jeffress said. "We're going to have over an acre of new green space, a water feature. It's going to be an open, inviting atmosphere for everyone and anyone who wants to come and worship God."
City leaders say the project will help add to the revitalization of downtown Dallas.
"A $130 million investment is going to be one of the biggest investments in downtown Dallas over the last several years," said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.
Just last month, the $350 million AT&T Performing Arts Center opened. In September, the $500 million Convention Center Hotel broke ground.
"It will be an impact in this community and will again be apart of what we're trying to accomplish of creating an urban setting, creating a setting that's vibrant, that's exciting, that brings people downtown," Leppert said.
First Baptist Church has already raised about half of the funds for the project.
Construction is scheduled to begin July 2010 and take about two and a half years to complete.
For more information on the church,
click here.
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