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Phase III Underway for First Baptist Pasadena

Worship center, chapel and commons area link to earlier phases

    Added January 16, 2012

First Baptist Church, located in Pasadena, Texas, begins Phase III of the 49-acre church campus, which will be a new 115,000 square foot, worship center addition. The church began occupation of the current site in May of 1999 with construction of Phase I, a 68,000 square feet multi-use building. Phase II, completed in December of 2003, included an additional 73,000 square feet and expanded their capacity to 1200 seats. The combined Phases I and II include education and fellowship spaces in addition to the worship center.

The Phase III worship center, currently in design by the Worship Place Studio of Ziegler Cooper Architects, will include a 2500-seat Worship Center and a 500-seat Chapel. The new worship center adjoins the existing building creating a substantial "commons" for Christian fellowship and a variety of activities. An important goal for the new design was to provide a cohesive worship experience for First Baptist Church. The commons area is a key component because it links program spaces for education, administration, music complex and fellowship areas integrally to the worship center.

The new chapel is designed using traditional materials; stone, brick and stained glass, set in a framework of glue laminated wood structure. The intent of the 500-seat space is to provide a venue for weddings, funerals and special services. The adjoining prayer room will provide a truly spiritual space for daily meditations and be a backbone for the development of the personal prayer life for members and staff. Construction of the new Worship Center will begin in the summer of 2011 and will commence in the fall of 2012.