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DallasMan
20 October 2009, 08:34 PM
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/10/first-presbyterian-dallas-to-b.html


First Presbyterian Dallas to break ground Sunday on Welcome Center
Fri, Oct 09, 2009
Sam Hodges/Reporter

Many inner-city American churches are struggling, but in Dallas the surviving downtown churches are showing considerable vigor. First Presbyterian breaks ground Sunday on a Welcome Center aimed at making the campus more accesible and appealing. Details below:


DALLAS, Texas--This Sunday, October 11, the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas will break ground on the Billie and Gillis Thomas Welcome Center. In addition to the new welcome center, the church is renovating its historic facilities, including a rejuvenation of its youth area, the addition of two new elevators to enhance accessibility, and the creation of a beautiful chapel garden at the corner of Harwood and Young Streets.

"We are seeking to widen the welcome at First Presbyterian Church by opening up our facilities to create a more accessible and hospitable environment," says Bryce Weigand, chair of the building committee. The $14 million project, expected to take eighteen months, is the eighth major endeavor since the congregation moved to its current location in 1913.

"Commitment Sunday for the campaign was October 28, 2008, in the midst of the economic collapse that began this recession. Yet our members stepped up, demonstrating their faith and commitment to continuing our vital downtown ministries," adds Joe Alexander, chair of the capital campaign.

"For over 150 years, First Presbyterian Church has sought to serve God in downtown Dallas. This investment in our facilities will prepare us for the next 150 years of ministry in the heart of the city, serving as an invitation to the next generation to join our ministry with and for the least of these in our community," says Dr. Joe Clifford, pastor of the congregation.

http://yfrog.com/17firstpbcj

rogramjet
20 October 2009, 09:27 PM
Very nice story. So glad they're thriving. And are successfully achieving their mission in an emerging and diverse community. These folks are some of the wonderful stars of Dallas. Best post on here in a long time. Thanks.

F4shionablecHa0s
20 October 2009, 10:44 PM
And to think, a perfectly nice surface parking lot could be there and help support the city and DART through taxes...

Damn shame.

chiboi
20 October 2009, 11:22 PM
Nice addition. It seems that we are in the middle of a cultural renaissance in Dallas.

mdg109
21 October 2009, 01:17 AM
Really good to hear they're doing well.

aygriffith
21 October 2009, 10:08 PM
And to think, a perfectly nice surface parking lot could be there and help support the city and DART through taxes...

Damn shame.

For anyone else I'd say that was a sarcastic comment, for you I'd say... really? Parking Lot for tax benefits to the city?

citizen
21 October 2009, 11:00 PM
Very nice story. So glad they're thriving. And are successfully achieving their mission in an emerging and diverse community. These folks are some of the wonderful stars of Dallas. Best post on here in a long time. Thanks.

Nice - and kudos to all the downtown churches for sticking it out - they could have all left when the leaving was easy and the staying was hard.

Ersatz
21 October 2009, 11:08 PM
Any renderings of this Welcome Center? Please?

dfwcre8tive
21 October 2009, 11:44 PM
Any renderings of this Welcome Center? Please?

If you clicked on the original link you would see this:

http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/FPC%20Exterior%20%28Small%29.jpg

dfwcre8tive
04 November 2009, 07:17 PM
I think it will be a nice addition to their campus. With this new main entrance to the church facing Park Ave, maybe it will help encourage redevelopment on the other side of Young.

There's already a little garden in front of the chapel. Do they plan on turning the awkwardly shaped parking lot next to the chapel into the expanded garden mentioned above?

dfwcre8tive
01 November 2010, 02:26 PM
This project is well underway. No implosion or big news stories, but it's looking good.

robbieac
02 November 2010, 08:12 PM
This project is well underway. No implosion or big news stories, but it's looking good.


Thanks for keeping us updated.