LAFAYATTE – When the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Lafayette was destroyed by fire on June 9, 1999, a few observers thought it would be better for the church to relocate rather than rebuild.
By Kelly Boggs
Editor
LAFAYATTE – When the sanctuary of First Baptist
Church of Lafayette was destroyed by fire on June 9, 1999, a few
observers thought it would be better for the church to relocate rather
than rebuild.
“We are located in the geographic and
demographic center of Lafayette,” responded pastor Perry Sanders. “Why
would we want to move?”
The church, led by Sanders’ optimism and
vision, launched a plan to replace the charred sanctuary. The result: a
$15 million, 100,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that was
dedicated April 24, 2004.
The original four columns at the front of the church became the point at which renovation began.
Designed by Louis Reames Architects of Baton Rouge,
the building is not only practical but also aesthetically impressive.
So much so that Downtown Lafayette Unlimited, a business organization
dedicated to the revitalization and redevelopment of Lafayette’s
downtown district, presented First Baptist Church with its prestigious
Design and Development Award at its Cornerstone Awards Program held on
Feb. 8.
“First Baptist Church has long been a positive
presence in downtown Lafayette,” said Michele Ezell, president of DLU.
The award recognizes “projects or initiatives
related to physical improvements, aesthetics and image, historic
preservations, adaptive re-use, or building and land development which
significantly contribute to the revitalization and/or serve as a
catalyst for future growth and development in either the public or
private sectors,” according to the award citation.
Representing First Baptist at the event held at The
Ballroom, located in downtown Lafayette, were Pastor Steve Horn
and Senior Pastor Perry Sanders. A.J. Szabo, chairman of
the building committee of the new construction, also attended the award
ceremony.