Ten members. That’s how it all began for Hillcrest Baptist Church. June 2 1920 a humble start. Imagine a small group gathered in the Trinity Heights School. Their faith a flickering flame. They dreamed of a place of their own a sanctuary for their growing congregation.
Hillcrest Baptist Church wasn’t just a church. It was a community. A testament to faith and perseverance. By 1963 the church owned a city block. Five three-story educational buildings stood tall. A 1500-seat auditorium echoed with hymns and prayers. 3776 members a peak of spiritual vibrancy.
But times change. In 1970 Hillcrest sold its property to St John Baptist Church. A new chapter began. Services were held temporarily on the Dallas Baptist University campus. Two years of transition. A testament to their unwavering commitment to their faith.
Then came the move to Boulder Drive. A 24-acre plot. The promise of a new beginning. A new church plant. The master plan unfolded. Buildings rose. A new sanctuary opened in 1986. 110000 square feet of space dedicated to worship and learning.
More mergers. Woodcrest Church joined Hillcrest in 1980. Their property became a Family Life Center. Sadly it was later sold to the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. The 6808 Boulder Drive location was eventually sold as well to Concord Missionary Baptist Church. Hillcrest kept moving. They held services at Wycliffe Bible Translators. A temporary haven.
The next chapter unfolded in Cedar Hill. A new location at 265 West Pleasant Run Road. A dedication service on November 12 2000. A new multipurpose room a preschool and children’s wing and an adult Sunday school wing. Soon the space was too small. The congregation grew. A Celebration Sunday marked the dedication of a new sanctuary in January 2002. A 900-seat auditorium with a 200-seat choir loft. 1200 people filled the space.
Even today Hillcrest Baptist Church continues to serve its community. A testament to the enduring spirit of its founders and the unwavering faith of its members. A journey of growth adaptation and unwavering faith. A story etched in brick and mortar in the lives it has touched. A story that continues to unfold.