First Baptist Church Dallas

First Baptist Church Dallas, established in 1868, is a prominent megachurch located in downtown Dallas, Texas. Known for its historical significance and influence within the Southern Baptist Convention, the church has grown to accommodate a large congregation, boasting around 13,000 members as of 2018. The church features a state-of-the-art 3,000-seat Worship Center, completed in 2013 at a cost of $130 million, making it one of the most expensive Protestant building projects in modern history. The church is also home to various ministries, including First Baptist Academy and Criswell College, and has a rich history of notable pastors, including Dr. W. A. Criswell and the current pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress. Visitors can explore its impressive facilities, which include a renovated historic sanctuary and a large skywalk with a computer-synchronized water fountain. However, the church faced a significant event in July 2024 when part of its historic sanctuary collapsed due to a fire, although no injuries were reported.