for the Name of the LORD my God..."
I Kings 5:5
The Criswell Center offers ministry in every detail
The Criswell Center’s precise placement allows for remembrance of the rich history of First Baptist Dallas, being symbolically joined to the old building and sanctuary. It retains the church’s familiar red brick and stone exterior to link the past life of the church with the present. Inside and out, its contemporary design and clever accessories make it culturally relevant in a modern urban setting.
All who have worked to make the Criswell Center a reality have kept ministry in mind, even in small detail. From the signage directing one where to go, to the limestone comprising the walls, the Criswell Center has been constructed with intention and purpose.
The Criswell Center offers a wide variety of accommodating features:
St. Paul Café:
A great place to sip coffee and hang with friends or to setup shop and do a bit of laidback laptop labor, the St. Paul Café is terrific for downtown down time. It offers a full Starbucks coffee menu, including treats, too. At lunchtime, enjoy the best burger in Downtown Dallas (plus lots of other lunch selections!) Free WiFi Internet access is available for those who have wireless capability. The Café includes a lounge area furnished with couches, chairs, and tables suitable for small informal meetings. Current hours of operation are 7am – 2pm Monday thru Friday and 9am – noon on Sunday.
Lifeway Bookstore:
As a branch of the Galleria Mall Lifeway store, the Criswell Center Lifeway location is stocked with Christian literature, music, gifts, and resources of various kinds. Store hours are 9am – 4pm Monday thru Friday, 9am – 7:30pm Wednesday, and 8:30am – 1pm on Sunday.
CenterStage:
CenterStage is ideal for a conference, concert, or large meeting. It serves as the hub of activity for much of the Criswell Center—FOCUS (women’s weekly luncheon) and LunchTalk (weekly business lunch), Bible studies, “Men’s Fraternity” meetings, seminars, dinners, and artistic events. It also hosts First Baptist’s centerstage worship service at 9:30 on Sunday mornings. Several hundred may enjoy First Baptist’s meal services, from the adjoined modern servery. CenterStage can host 970 in theater seating, 720 for dining, and 102 onstage. Visit Center Stage
Meeting Rooms & Classrooms:
Rooms of all shapes, sorts, and sizes are available for meetings on the Criswell Center’s 5th floor. In particular, corner and side rooms have a fantastic view of downtown Dallas. Each room comes equipped for meetings. DVD playback, microphones and sound system, projector and screen, or flatscreens for PowerPoint are available. 5th floor rooms vary in max capacity size from about 25 up to 100.
Staff Offices:
The 6th floor houses the bulk of First Baptist’s staff.
Prayer Tower:
All are welcome to spend time in reflection or prayer in the magnificent 7th floor prayer tower. Visit our Prayer Page.
Heritage Chapel:
The chapel is available for weddings, funerals, lectures, and special meetings. This room is equipped with a first-rate sound system, electronic video projector and screen, and the basic technology needs one might have. It seats approximately 500.
Food Services:
The second floor of the Criswell Center houses First Baptist’s massive industrial kitchen. A full kitchen staff is on hand to prepare meals; they can also manage serving for catered meals. Meals may be catered to any site on the Criswell Center or First Baptist campus.
Other Points of Interest:
Heritage Display
A look at the rich history of First Baptist Dallas is found outside Heritage Chapel.
Stained Glass
Amazing stained glass pieces were retained from the chapels in the original Criswell Building from the 1950s; these have found their home in the new Criswell Center.
Construction Facts
- 8,800 cubic yards of concrete
- 570 tons of reinforcing steel
- 358,000 bricks covering 50,000 square feet
- 9,000 square feet of exterior glass
- 44 miles of electrical conduit
- 134 miles of electrical power wiring
- 55 miles of audio/visual wiring
- 3,000 light fixtures