A hangout destination: ‘The Loft,’ FBC’s student ministry addition, ‘next big thing’ for downtown

The idea was first discussed at least a dozen years ago. First Baptist Church’s student facilities were becoming cramped and getting more so all the time. There had not been any new education space at the church since 1973.

But there were other priorities, notably the Master Plan in 2010, a lengthy series of connected lighted archways, a commons, water fountain and covered walkways that have since become a popular photo background for graduations and engagements.

“So we were thinking about it even then,” said Dr. Howard Batson, the church’s pastor since 1995. “The question eventually became – ‘what piece is next?’ We believe this will fit the needs of our church and the city of Amarillo in many ways.”

It will be called “The Loft,” grander than any loft most would recognize. It will be a four-story 77,000 square feet structure in the 1300 block of Harrison Street. The Loft will connect to Park Place Towers retirement community as well as have an elevated covered walkway – a 115-feet long, 16-feet wide “sky bridge” -- above Harrison to connect to the west portion of the main church.

The estimated $39 million structure, with a gleaming front of glass, will consume much of the west parking lot of the church. With bids closing at the end of June, construction is expected to begin in late summer or early fall.

What is The Loft? Who is it for? What could be its impact?

“This will help the next generation rediscover downtown,” Batson said. “This is not just built for the students at First Baptist Church. This is built for our community. It’s a safe place for students to build community and make inter-generational connections. We do think this is the next big thing downtown.”

The primary target demographic is middle school and high school students, along with a separate first-floor space for college students, for which it will be for more than the traditional Sunday and Wednesday gatherings. That ministry has outgrown the fourth floor of the church and portions of the adjacent Family Life Center.

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The Loft will have open areas with couches and chairs, education rooms, an open worship area that can hold approximately 325, sports courts, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor artificial turf area for volleyball and other activities that includes a covered area for grilling. There is also a two-level parking garage for 150 vehicles, 200 spots when including exterior parking.

“The reality is we need a new student ministry facility to reach more students for Christ,” Batson said, “and we think student ministry needs to go beyond a Sunday and Wednesday schedule. We want to be the primary place for students to hang out.

“Students are going to hang out somewhere. Don’t we need to know where they’re hanging out and what values are being taught where they are hanging out? They need a safe place to hang out. That’s a good word – ‘safe.’

“Students face a lot more temptations my generation didn’t face. If we don’t invest ourselves in the next generation, not just at First Baptist, but the church as a whole, then we’re going to be looking at a very different culture.”

Batson gave examples of The Loft’s secondary use as a student chemistry project group meeting, or a physics tutor meeting with students a couple of afternoons a week. The Loft could be a venue to host athletic banquets for local high schools in the smaller sports like cross country/track, golf and tennis.

‘Not just a First Baptist thing’

“I don’t want this to be just a First Baptist Church thing,” said Bradley Maybin, minister to students. “I want to open it up to the broader spectrum beyond First Baptist – banquets, FCA, Young Life. It’s really for all students because you never know what connection you might make with them.

“First Presbyterian Church has a new youth facility, and we have a desire to partner with them some. Our goal is to reach students with the gospel and for them to pursue Christ. Maybe let’s tackle this together the best way we can. We’ve got a lot of work to do to reach everybody. We don’t want to limit this to just First Baptist students.”

With a connected walkway to nearby Park Central Towers, the Loft is expected to be intergenerational with seniors using the facility for exercise classes, Bible study or other group meetings, and even partnering with students on projects like preparing Christmas gift bags for the church’s prison ministry.

“It will be a nice beautiful building to have for some of our activities subject to the church’s use,” said Steve Dalrymple, president and CEO of Baptist Community Services, which owns and operates the Park Place complex.

“Our board views this project interconnecting even more with the church. We’re separate entities and separate campuses, but this will allow us to intertwine and it will be very positive.”

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Of the four large downtown churches – Central Church of Christ, Polk Street United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church and First Baptist Church – The Loft will be the latest in the expansions of the churches.

“One of the neat things about Amarillo is the downtown churches are committed to downtown,” Batson said. “There’s no fleeing to the suburbs. We’re revitalizing. Many churches say, ‘Hey, the people have shifted. Let’s shift too.’ We say, ‘No, we’re going to invite people downtown. We’re going to stay and give people something to come to.’”

Beth Duke, executive director of Center City of Amarillo, Inc., said the historic and oldest churches in Amarillo give a distinctive flair to the look of downtown.

“The downtown churches anchor our downtown with their architecture, histories and congregations,” Duke said. “Just as the original First Baptist Church building speaks to the past, The Loft speaks to the future.

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“The Loft will be a treasure in Center City for years to come as we work together to make downtown a destination neighborhood to live, work, play, learn and worship.”

Construction, which likely will start later in the summer or early fall, is expected to take approximately two years to complete. The Loft could open in the latter months of 2024. The $39 million project was approved by the church on Sept. 19, 2021 with $15.8 million in gifts and pledges. Since then, pledges and monies have almost doubled to just less than $30 million.

“I really think this is the next big thing for downtown and I say that boldly,” Batson said. “To revitalize an urban area, you have to have young people. You have to have that next generation. Wouldn’t it be neat if students are hanging around downtown and the next thing you know they have a loft apartment?

“So we see this not simply as a First Baptist Church Amarillo project. We see it as an Amarillo project, and specifically a downtown Amarillo project.”

By the numbers

Construction will begin this summer on The Loft, First Baptist Church’s student ministry building on Harrison Street. It will include:

· 77,000 square feet over four stories of indoor space for education, worship, missions and ministry.

· An outdoor artificial turf recreation area half the length of a football field – 150 feet by 54 feet – for outdoor activities and picnics.

· A parking garage with 150 spaces with 50 more exterior parking spaces.

· A sky bridge that will connect The Loft and Park Central to the main church that is 115 feet long and 16 feet wide above Harrison Street.

· The main worship area will seat approximately 325.

· Two kitchens – indoor and outdoor – and three elevators.

· Frees up 20,000 square feet formerly used by students in the main church.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: ‘The Loft,’ Amarillo First Baptist Church student ministry addition