First Baptist Dallas

If they post the special channel 8 broadcast from last Saturday I will put up a link. First Baptist Church imploded 5 buildings yesterday to make way for a new facility that is very impressive in what it brings to downtown Dallas. You can see the implosion here, but the Belief is Building special gave some history and showed all the future plans for the church. With the new arts district additions and other plans for a more pedestrian downtown, downtown Dallas may finally become a quality destination. And this looks like it will be a fitting addition.

The implosion itself was fascinating to watch, but the special broadcast showed the vision for the new facilities due to open Easter Sunday, 2013. Could almost make me want to be a Baptist. Seriously. It’s about accessibility and community and quality and heritage. Their people have really stepped up. And the sunshine on the old original sanctuary and steeple after the dust cleared had to feel like a blessing from above.

Visiting cities like Paris, Vancouver, and Chicago in recent years made me realize that as a city, Dallas is still young. We have a ways to go, but a lot of things are happening in the midst of economic and other uncertainties that I find promising for the future.

The Long Summer

I’ve been a slacker this summer. I must admit that when the extreme heat hits, it’s a little less tempting to get out and maybe even a little harder to brag on Dallas. But when the “cold front” arrived yesterday and I realized that the State Fair is right around the corner, I started thinking of what to feature next. We also have a new house guest, an exchange student from Korea. Suddenly I’m seeing things through the eyes of a teenager who is new not just to Dallas, but to the country. Should give me some new perspectives!

Here’s where I need the help of my readers. Suggestions? Recommendations? I would love to check out the places that you find to be unique to this area, and to hear why. And I’d love to know what you think are the best places to show off to someone entirely new to the country and the area!

(P.S. Can’t they just call them “less-hot fronts”?)

Prestonwood Baptist Church

Since I’ve never attended a service at Prestonwood Baptist Church, it would seem strange to post about it. But this church is not just a church, it’s somewhat of a phenomenon. When our daughter was married, Baptist relatives visiting from Florida had only one sight-seeing request, and that was to see Prestonwood. We took them, just to walk around while no services were taking place, and were amazed at what we saw. We have since attended weddings in their chapel (a beautiful, traditional place), and I have attended meetings and eaten lunch there on a number of occasions. This church is like a small city, with 2 gift shop/bookstores and a full restaurant (corporate-cafeteria-style) as well as a private school and full fitness facilities (probably not open to just anybody). The lobby has art and a series of stained glass windows, plus seating areas, a play area, and kiosks about various ministries. Quite a monument to what Big Baptist Bucks can build. (We refer to our church as being in the “shadow of the Baptidome” and when our staff goes to lunch there, we refer to it as eating at “our east campus.”) No disrespect intended – seriously – this church has impressive ministries in many areas and it’s a blessing to share the neighborhood. Located at Park Blvd. and Midway in Plano.

Walnut Hill United Methodist Church

Happy Easter! In honor of Resurrection Sunday, a new category for houses of worship.  Today’s feature is the church where I grew up. In addition to being a wonderful place to call home, this church has a beautiful facility. I used to hear stories of flight attendants who wished to be married at Walnut Hill Methodist Church because they saw its steeple from the air flying into and out of Love Field. The sanctuary was build in the 1960s. The 13 windows in the sanctuary and 2 in the chapel are made with an unusual chunky glass with sculpted edges and brilliant colors. The illustrations of the windows represent Biblical accounts from creation through eternal life and they are full of symbols that provoke thought. 10066 Marsh Lane in Dallas. Traditional worship at 8:30 and 10:55am.