Imagine a towering lighthouse. It stands not by the sea but in the heart of Dallas. This is the story of the Gospel Lighthouse Church.
In January 1940, a group of 30 people formed what would become the Gospel Lighthouse Church. They faced a big problem where to worship. For a few weeks, they met in Roger Q. Mills Elementary School’s auditorium. Then, they rented a circus tent. It stood where the new Gospel Lighthouse Church building would rise.
The congregation worshipped in that tent for almost a year. Construction of their permanent church home was underway. Brother Hibbard filled many roles. He was janitor, contractor, builder, and preacher. Funds were low but spirits were high.
One cold December night, workers hurried to put up sub-flooring. They wanted to block the biting wind. Brother Hibbard worked alongside them. A frantic mother arrived with her son. His arm was twisted and unusable. Brother Hibbard and the men stopped working. They removed their hats and prayed. They asked God to heal the boy.
Suddenly shouts of joy echoed. The mother cried. She declared that God had healed her son. The boy picked up a hammer. He started pulling nails. His arm and hand were perfectly healed. This event marked the beginning of the ministry of divine healing at the Gospel Lighthouse Church.
By January 23, 1941, the first church building was complete. It could seat 600 people. It also had a full basement. The circus tent was no longer needed. A tornado had once struck. It tore a huge hole in the tent. The new church’s completion brought immense joy. Three years later, the church was free of debt.
Crowds grew and blessings continued. More land was purchased for parking. The entire 1900 block of South Ewing Avenue became church property. Pastor and Nell Hibbard expanded their ministry. They sought more airtime on radio station KSKY.
In December 1942, they began daily broadcasts. Before that it was Sundays only. The first week’s radio time was paid for in pennies. People emptied their pockets during services. The good work continued.
In April 1943, a daily prayer group was organized. The war raged. Many sought solace at the Gospel Lighthouse Prayer Band. They prayed for hours each day. Thousands of requests poured in. In 1944, they received almost 89000 prayer requests. By 1949, it had reached over 224000.
The results were encouraging. Thousands testified to miraculous healings. Letters arrived from across the United States and beyond. Every letter received a response.
The Gospel Lighthouse also maintained a commissary. It helped the underprivileged. Clothes, shoes, and bedding were provided. During Christmas, they delivered food baskets to needy families.
In 1948, groundbreaking began for a new building. It was designed by Rev. J.C. Hibbard. About 4000 people attended the ceremony. The new structure was unique. It was round like a lighthouse. The tower would be covered in aluminum. It had revolving neon lights.
The basement housed assembly halls and Sunday School rooms. There was also a prayer room. Continuous prayer would occur there. The new Gospel Lighthouse building was completed after months of work.
The church rose 79 feet and 2 inches from ground to tower top. It also included a full basement. It contained over 5300 feet of cold cathode neon tubing. Five rooms were dedicated to prayer. The Civil Defense Department designated it a bomb shelter during the Cold War.
In 1972, the Gospel Lighthouse moved. It relocated to West Illinois and Loop 12. This made it more accessible. The new building cost 4.5 million dollars. It stood as a testament to God’s power.
Today the Gospel Lighthouse Church continues to shine. It remains a beacon of faith. It stands as a testament to the power of prayer and community.