OLAF GROWALD
First United Methodist of Fort Worth has high hopes for its first construction project since 1929, one that comes with a high price tag.
The project, dubbed the Next90 Building Expansion, was approved by the congregation in December. The expansion, expected to cost nearly $36 million, includes construction of new buildings alongside improvements to the 90-year-old building at 800 W. 5th St. In turn, First United Methodist of Fort Worth hopes to square the church away for the next 90 years.
Since the approval vote, the expansion has moved to its “silent phase” of fundraising, in which the church will meet with lead donors before moving on to the “public phase” that will likely begin later this fall. If the progression stays on schedule, senior pastor Dr. Tim Bruster hopes to break ground in mid 2020.
“It’s really transformational in the life of the congregation to have a place where people see each other,” Bruster says. “They are able to visit. They see people who go to different worship services than they go to that they otherwise wouldn’t get to see. They get to see children that they may not see if they don’t have children in the program.”
The current building presents many problems the church hopes to fix with new additions. The biggest of which is the lack of a suitable gathering space and the current labyrinthine layout, Bruster says.
The expansion was deemed necessary due to congregational growth, pushing the building to its limit. Currently, First United Methodist of Fort Worth has 65,449 people attending across eight Sunday morning worship services, including Easter and Christmas services. This year, 246 new members joined the congregation.
“The great thing is that our church is growing, and we’ve got a really vibrant ministry to children and youth and their families,” Bruster says.
The expansion’s biggest addition will be the Fellowship Rotunda, a three-story, 3217-square-foot gathering space complete with a prayer labyrinth at the center of the floor. The rotunda’s dome will pay tribute to the church’s long history in Fort Worth, specifically the location the church once occupied at 7th and Taylor Streets.
“It’s that building that had a central dome, more or less like First Christian, and then it had twin dome towers on the side that were domed,” Bruster says. “The domed rotunda picks up on that architectural feature.”
The church hopes the project will further beautify downtown, adding another venue locals can use for events. Architectural renderings and more information can be found on the church’s website at fumcfw.org/next90.
By Courtni Fields
