Capital Campaign 2019 - Renovated Education Wing

We’ve reached a major milestone in the life of First United Methodist Church of Dallas!

As our world changes, we’ve been envisioning our place within it – and working to ensure our space within these walls equips us to grow and serve outside them.  We embarked on a Capital Campaign in 2019 to re-imagine our Education Wing – how can we extend the table into the next generation by providing them the space to become 21st century Christ followers?

Through your generosity, and the diligent and thoughtful work of our layleaders, staff and architectural and construction partners, we’ve been able to transform this space on our campus into one that will allow us to grow disciples, connect communities and serve the world like never before.

Our Education Wing: Faith Beyond Walls In Action

These newly-renovated floors allow us to deliver the best in Christian education and serve as a helpful resource to our neighbors in the Arts District and beyond.

The architects and construction team went to great lengths to preserve, reveal, and sometimes replicate many of the original architectural features that make the building unique. Many previously-boarded windows were revealed and restored, greatly increasing natural light and quality of the affected spaces. Additional original ceiling heights were exposed, and millwork details, original flooring, and other unique aspects of the building’s original construction were preserved. The renovation is a living example of FirstChurch’s historic past integrated with our future vision for ministry.

Ground Floor

  • This floor covers more than 11,000 square feet, and contains workspace for church administration and multi-functional meeting and conference space.
  • The former Texas room now holds a combination of offices and cubicles designed to create an environment of collaboration and teamwork for church staff and clergy. This space includes a new break room that offers ample seating for meals, office gatherings and impromptu meetings.
  • The space that once housed Sunday school rooms and the library has been transformed into a Conference Center, a space that includes five newly-renovated classrooms organized around a central gathering area. This space has the capacity to hold around 145 people that both church and outside groups can utilize for staff retreats, workshops, and more.

Watch the Video Tour below.

First Floor

  • The Developmental Learning Center/Nursery occupies almost 11,000 square feet. This childcare area, which serves up to 100 children from infants to age 5 during the week and doubles as a nursery on Sundays, is a multi-functional space where children learn through age-appropriate instruction and play.
  • The footprint of the original space was left largely intact, but an HVAC system overhaul allowed the ceilings to be lifted, which exposed more windows and offered more natural light.
  • A paint color refresh and lighting enhancement gave the space a fresh, new look.

Watch the Video Tour below.

Second Floor

  • More than 11,000 square feet was reworked to provide both additional meeting space for all ages, and the type of layout that better lends itself to the best in Christian Education.
  • The Cornerstone Room was designed with hosting in mind, with a brand new reception space outside the doors to make space for meeting sign-in, refreshments and more. Adaptable furniture and AV integration make this room truly multipurpose, providing the ideal space for ministry on Sunday and meetings throughout the week.
  • The FirstKids area now includes classroom space for children, which has integrated A/V capabilities for digital learning, and the Children’s Commons, the 2,200+ square feet that will serve as the main gathering point for FirstKids on Sunday mornings. This flexible space can accommodate 125 people.

Watch the Video Tour below.

Third Floor

  • The third floor plan includes spaces for youth, Zone56, our bridge program between children’s and youth ministry, and The Upper Room (formerly the Gym), a centerpiece of this renovation.
  • By combining an existing storage closet and the original Zone56 room, Zone56 has doubled its footprint. Across the landing, the youth space is divided into three distinct programming areas: worship/teaching, community and creativity, and recreation and fellowship, which provides the necessary space for both Sunday School and afternoon/evening programming.
  • The Upper Room can host worship services, classes, banquets, meetings and events with a capacity of up to 240 people. New LED lighting, a large LED screen, and a sound booth in the bleachers is tied into the A/V system for the rest of the campus, greatly expanding our ability to “broadcast” on Sunday mornings and beyond.

Watch the 3D Tour below.

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