A massive fire ripped through the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas' worship center in Texas on Friday, the Associated Press reported.
Flames engulfed the Victorian red-brick church, built in 1890, at about 6:30 p.m., causing extensive damage to the historic sanctuary. according to Firefighters had the blaze under control within about three hours, and no deaths or injuries were reported, according to the Associated Press.
“We suspect the fire may have started in the basement and spread to the second floor, but we won't know until we clear it and investigate,” Interim Fire Chief Justin Ball said. Said Fox 4 Dallas.
The Rev. Robert Jeffries expressed gratitude that no one was injured.
“I was baptized there when I was 6 years old and ordained at 21, so it's a church filled with so many memories. I thank God that no one was hurt. We had just finished a Vacation Bible School with over 2,000 kids and they're all gone so God protected us through this,” Jeffries told FOX 4. “I'm thankful that the church isn't made of bricks and mortar and wood, it's made of people.”
The pastor also Posts Jeffries made the request for prayers for his church on Twitter. Jeffries is a leading evangelical supporter of former President Donald Trump, having served on his Evangelical Advisory Council and the White House Faith Initiative in 2016. PJ Media reportPresident Trump, who survived an assassination attempt on Saturday, visited First Baptist Church on December 20, 2021.
Everyone, please support our SBC family at First Baptist Church of Dallas right now.
Their historic sanctuary is engulfed in flames. The cause of the blaze (and whether anyone was injured) is still unknown.
Please pray for the safety of Dr. Jeffries, our members, and our emergency personnel.
pic.twitter.com/5ndeHT0pVY— Baptist Leadership Center (@BaptistLeaders) July 20, 2024
Dallas Fire Rescue was battling a chapel fire at the historic First Baptist Dallas Church in downtown Dallas on Friday afternoon, a spokesman confirmed.
At 6:05 p.m., rescue crews were called to the building at 1717 San Jacinto St., where they were confronted with an “intense…” fire. pic.twitter.com/t5wJwD09Ii
— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) July 20, 2024
Jeffries previously responded to the assassination attempt on Trump on the website of his radio and television ministry, Road to Victory.
“I believe Donald Trump has a purpose. I believe God saved him to bring this country back to its Judeo-Christian foundations. That's exactly what Trump has said. Years ago, I had a conversation with President Trump, who was then a businessman, and we talked about God's role in the election,” Jeffries said. Said In a statement. (Related article: “I believe this is divine providence”: Insiders describe President Trump's new resolve and strength in the face of assassination attempt)
According to the Associated Press, the First Baptist Church of Dallas, an evangelical megachurch with 16,000 members, holds its main services in a modern worship center next door to the damaged chapel, and Rev. Jeffries confirmed that Sunday's service will go on as scheduled in the modern facility despite the disruption.
