FBD Campus
The facilities of a church are the outer and visible framework of its inner and spiritual life. The Body of Christ is not a building, but rather a gathering of believers. Yet the buildings in which a congregation meets express and shape the life of that congregation.
The story of the First Baptist Dallas' sanctuary, educational, and parking buildings is one of boldness and God's Providence. In extraordinary ways and at the just the right time, God has provided our needs.
First Baptist Dallas boasts a sanctuary that dates back to the nineteenth century. Ground breaking was in 1890, occupation in 1891. Originally described as "massive," the sanctuary was remodeled several times to meet the needs of the congregation. The first enlargement in 1908, added room to the north and east perimeters. This also placed the pulpit on the south (Patterson Street) side. In 1924 the pulpit was returned to the east side while space again increased to accommodate the congregation. At this same time the church added a permanent education building on St. Paul that was attached to the back of the auditorium. This edifice became known as the Truett Building in 1956.
By 1941 the church outgrew the available seating, so a second balcony was added. Many in the congregation favored moving to more spacious grounds in the suburbs, but Dr. Truett often said, "We will build up, rather than out." In 1956 the second balcony was removed, the choir loft was enlarged, and red pew cushions were added for the comfort of the congregation and the delight of our pastor's eye. At present, the auditorium holds about 2,000 people.
Just south of the sanctuary is the area that used to be Patterson Street. In April 1982 the area was dedicated to faithful deacon Sheffie Kadane who, through his diligence and dedication to his Lord and church, secured legal title for the church to Patterson as well as old San Jacinto Streets. As a city councilman, Mr. Kadane enabled the city to give up their rights to these two short blocks in order to purchase our land for a larger throughway with the new San Jacinto Street.
Because the 1924 remodeling of the sanctuary resulted in the removal of classroom spaces, an educational building was added on the St. Paul side of the property. A prayer meeting auditorium (now Coleman Hall), complete with baptistery and adjoining kitchen, was on the lower floor. Classrooms, church offices, and library also occupied the area. In the late 1940s, the seven-floor building, complete with air conditioning and elevators was completed. The Truett Building is now used to house preschool and children's Sunday School as well as the Developmental Learning Center during the week.
The spacious and inviting fellowship hall on the lower floor was named to honor "Brother Bob" Coleman, part time music-education director, full time Christian friend and helper to Dr. Truett and young Dr. Criswell. The education building, which contained it, was named in honor of George W. Truett. Originally, portraits in Coleman Hall were of Dr. Truett, Brother Bob Coleman, deacon Frank Ryburn, and church secretary and treasurer Dolph Johnson. Now many beautiful paintings grace its walls.
The Criswell Center is an eight story multi-functional facility that is touching every member in our church, as well as our growing Downtown community:
- Main Floor/Atrium/Fellowship Mall
- Legacy/Heritage Center
- 2 New Chapels ... Heritage Chapel & Slaughter Chapel
- Lifeway Bookstore/St. Paul Café
- Multipurpose Facility
- Grace Parlor
- Bride's Room
- Groom's Room
- Multipurpose Educational Space
- Ministry and Staff Offices
- Prayer Tower
The Criswell Center is an incredible venue for civic and cultural events such as concerts and dinners -- plus theatrical and musical productions, and community events.
The Criswell Center enables First Baptist Dallas to continue its uncompromising mission and ministry for generations to come - motivating us as a church family to be intentional, relevant, renewed and committed to being a shining light for our city and surrounding community - and from there to touch the world.
The new Criswell Center has become one of the most important and active spaces we have. Most importantly, it has become the "main entrance" for the church and creates a sense of welcome and expectation upon entry.
Originally the Salvation Army headquarters, a center for youth and their activities became a reality through the generosity of many fine people, principally Mrs. Ruth Hunt. The lobby, Martin Lovvorn Hall, Lee Roy Till Student Center, Judy Jeffress Prayer Room, and all the classrooms are designed with teenagers in mind to reach this age group for Christ through many Christian activities.
Completed in 1953, the Veal Parking-Recreation Building was state of the art providing for the needs of the congregation. Formerly occupied by the Central Christian Church, the property became available through the generous gift of Mrs. Minnie Slaughter Veal. She continued to give until the church had a five-story parking building with two additional floors for a gymnasium, skating rink, and snack area.
Through the initial efforts of Mary Crowley and her company, Home Interiors, the Mary C Building became a reality. Spanning Kadane Plaza, the building contains elevators, and throughways to the Veal parking and gym, Lee Roy Till Music Center, recreation center, and children's education space. Mary Crowley's portrait, by Judy Helton, graces the lobby that leads to Coleman Hall and the Truett Building. The Mary C Building was dedicated to God's glory January 1977. An important part of the Mary C Building is the Wicker Gym. Named for faithful deacon D.E. Wicker, Jr., the center was planned to carry out his interests for Christian recreation with two racquetball courts, basketball court, free-weight room, indoor track, and dressing rooms with saunas and a whirlpool.
Christian Education Building (CEB)
Originally planned for housing the Criswell Bible Institute (now Criswell College), parts of the Academy, and some Sunday School departments, the CEB had its groundbreaking in the spring of 1972. In May of 1973, the small auditorium on the ground floor was named Ralph Baker Hall after Deacon Ralph Baker, Sr. Ralph Baker Hall was designed for religious drama, film presentations, and chapel for the Academy and Criswell College, rehearsal hall for the choirs, and an assembly area for high school senior Sunday School. At present the Silent Friends Church uses the area for Sunday worship services.
Truett Memorial Library is located on the first floor and though mentioned in the church minutes as far back as 1898, the church library was not firmly established until 1936 with the first paid librarian and 800 donated books. From a small room on the second floor of the Truett Building, to Coleman Hall, to the lower auditorium, to Burt Building, to Cotton Exchange, to CEB, the church library grew with the congregation. In 1979 Mr. A. Webb Roberts placed a plaque at the library to establish its official name as the George W. Truett Memorial Library. Automated catalog and circulation for 54,000 titles enable staff, membership, and Criswell College and First Baptist Academy students' access to valuable information.
Purchased in 1969, the former Internal Revenue Service Building was dedicated to the first pastor of the congregation, Rev. W. W. Spurgeon Harris. The Downtown Pregnancy Center, parking, First Baptist Academy secondary classes and offices, Communications, and Media use the building on a daily basis. On Sundays it is used for education space.
In 1958 the congregation voted to purchase the Burt Building, an eleven-story 90,000 square foot office building directly across from the auditorium. Well built, the space has been remodeled and reassigned many times for educational purposes. At present First Baptist Academy classes and offices occupy much of the area. It's also used for church activities and Sunday School classes for children.