Historic First Baptist Dallas to Rebuild After 2024 Fire

The iconic 134-year-old sanctuary will be reconstructed with help from Hobby Lobby and a church family's donations.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:11am

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph depicting the faint outline of a church building surrounded by warm, blurred pools of light and color, conceptually representing the emotional significance of rebuilding this historic landmark.The reconstruction of First Baptist Dallas' historic sanctuary will restore a beloved downtown landmark and symbol of the church's enduring presence in the community.Dallas Today

First Baptist Dallas, a historic church in downtown Dallas, will break ground on a new sanctuary on June 7 after a massive fire destroyed its 134-year-old sanctuary in the summer of 2024. The church plans to incorporate materials from the original sanctuary into the new building and has received significant donations, including a matching gift of up to $7 million from Hobby Lobby founder David Green and another $7 million from a church family, to help fund the $95 million reconstruction project.

Why it matters

First Baptist Dallas is a prominent downtown landmark that has hosted visits from several U.S. presidents over the years. The destruction of its historic sanctuary was a significant loss for the community, and the church's decision to rebuild the iconic structure is seen as an important symbol of resilience and the congregation's commitment to its roots.

The details

The original sanctuary, which opened in 1890 and was used until a new facility opened in 2013, was a significant downtown landmark. In the summer of 2024, a massive fire destroyed the 134-year-old structure. In the aftermath, the church's senior pastor, Robert Jeffress, vowed to rebuild the iconic sanctuary, and the church announced plans to use some materials from the historic building in the reconstruction. The church has set a fundraising goal of $95 million for the new sanctuary, and in late 2025, Jeffress revealed that Hobby Lobby founder David Green had pledged a matching donation of up to $7 million, and a church family had also committed $7 million to the project.

  • The original sanctuary opened in 1890.
  • The sanctuary was in use until a new facility opened in 2013.
  • A massive fire destroyed the 134-year-old sanctuary in the summer of 2024.
  • In October 2024, the church said its goal was to raise $95 million for the new sanctuary.
  • On June 7, 2026, the church will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new sanctuary immediately after the 11 a.m. service.

The players

First Baptist Dallas

A historic church in downtown Dallas that is rebuilding its 134-year-old sanctuary after a 2024 fire.

Robert Jeffress

The senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas who vowed to rebuild the iconic sanctuary after the 2024 fire.

David Green

The founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby who pledged a matching donation of up to $7 million to help rebuild the First Baptist Dallas sanctuary.

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What they’re saying

“It's not the building, it's what that building represents: it represented the bedrock foundation of God's Word that never changes. We are going to rebuild and recreate that sanctuary as a standing symbol of truth.”

— Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Dallas

“Along with a special matching gift from Hobby Lobby and the Green family, our church has raised most of what will be required for any expansion or improvement of the facility, but we are still waiting on the Travelers Insurance Company to fulfill their financial obligations related to what was lost in the fire.”

— First Baptist Dallas

What’s next

The church will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new sanctuary on June 7, 2026, immediately after the 11 a.m. service.

The takeaway

The rebuilding of the historic First Baptist Dallas sanctuary represents the church's resilience and commitment to preserving an important community landmark, with significant financial support from Hobby Lobby and a church family helping to make the $95 million reconstruction project possible.