The leader of a historic church at downtown Dallas in the United States, which was nearly destroyed by a fire, assured congregants on Sunday that they will rebuild the iconic structure.
Services for First Baptist Dallas were held at the nearby Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
There, senior Pastor Robert Jeffress announced their intention to rebuild the sanctuary, which is now a charred shell with its stained glass windows ruined and virtually everything inside its brick walls destroyed.
“We’re going to recreate it as a standing symbol of the truth. The unchangableness, the endurance of the word of God. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God shall stand forever,” said Jeffress.
Thousands of worshipers gathered at the convention center for First Baptist’s Sunday service.
“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,” Jeffress stated. “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.”
Jeffress added that insurance will cover the rebuilding costs.
No deaths or injuries were reported after the blaze broke out Friday evening in the Texas Historic Landmark, a Victorian-style red brick church built in 1890. Firefighters took about three hours to contain the blaze.
Interim Fire Chief Justin Ball mentioned on Friday that the fire seemed to have originated in the building’s basement.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Capt. Robert Borse said on Sunday that the investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, with no updates yet available.
Jeffress mentioned that committees are being formed to plan for the new sanctuary.
The pastor noted that insurance companies would fund the new building, but urged worshipers to intensify their efforts to spread the word of God in light of the tragedy.
The church’s historic sanctuary, built in 1890, caught fire on Friday night, escalating into a four-alarm blaze.
Jeffress expressed gratitude to the first responders who worked to extinguish the fire.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined as firefighters have not been able to enter the building.
Concerns about the structural integrity of the historic building persist. If the sanctuary is deemed unstable, it will be demolished.
Jeffress said he is working with the city to see if any part of the building’s structure can be preserved.
“We’re going to make it through this. God has a great plan for the First Baptist Church of Dallas,” Jeffress stated.
Barriers have been erected around the church on N. Ervay Street.
The ATF is assisting with the investigation into the cause of the fire. Jeffress told FOX 4 that, as far as he understands, this is purely procedural.
Early Sunday morning, Jeffress appeared on FOX and Friends.
Last week, the church’s senior pastor said God had saved former president Donald Trump from an assassination attempt.
“I’ve had people since that time scoff and mock, and said, ‘Well, is that same guy who saved Trump the same God responsible for letting your building burn?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely.’ The Bible says God causes all things to work together for good for those who love him, and all things includes the good and the bad,” Jeffress explained.
Drone footage was shared showing the damage at First Baptist Dallas.The aerial footage reveals significant damage to the interior, though most of the exterior walls are still standing.
First Baptist Dallas was founded in 1868, with the historic red brick building being constructed in 1890, as noted by the Texas Historic Commission.
The church was designated a historical landmark in 1968.
In 2013, it became a second sanctuary when the church opened a new facility.
