A fire has severely damaged the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Dallas, a Texas Historic Landmark, on Friday evening.
The blaze caused significant structural damage but no deaths or injuries were reported, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue.
The fire was reported at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Friday and was contained by firefighters three hours later.
The Victorian-style red brick church, built in 1890, is an important landmark in the city.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Interim Fire Chief Justin Ball stated: “We think it may have started in the basement and then gone on to the second floor, but until we clear it out and do an investigation, we won’t know.”
Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress expressed gratitude that no one was injured and thanked the first responders for their swift action in containing the fire.
He noted that the church had just hosted 2,000 children and volunteers for Vacation Bible School earlier in the day.
First Baptist Dallas, an evangelical megachurch with 16,000 members, now holds its main services in a modern worship center adjacent to the historic sanctuary.
Despite the damage, Pastor Jeffress affirmed that services would continue as scheduled, with Sunday services held at the nearby Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Pastor Jeffress confirmed that insurance would cover the costs of rebuilding the sanctuary, which now stands as a charred shell with ruined stained glass windows and virtually everything inside destroyed.
He said: “If we allow that thing to remain in ruins, it will look to the whole world like we’ve been defeated by the evil one, so we’re going to rebuild.
“I’m not saying we’re going to duplicate every square inch of that worship center. … We’re going to remember that historic place of worship and do everything we can to honor it.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue Capt. Robert Borse stated on Sunday that the investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, with no new updates available at this time.
