Is it a church or a family? New Leaf Baptist Church strives to be both. New Leaf Baptist Church stands as a beacon of faith in Dallas County. It sits at N32.68763 degrees W96.77806 degrees according to the NAD83 system. The church is elevated 469 feet above sea level. You can spot it on the USGS 1:24K topographic map of Oak Cliff, TX.
New Leaf Family Church answers God’s call. It aims to reach Dallas and nearby areas with the message of Jesus Christ. Their vision is simple. They want to see people saved and actively serving.
Dr. Corey C. Toney, Sr. founded New Leaf Baptist Church. He also serves as its pastor and teacher. The church extends friendship and fellowship. They offer prayers to build a strong community. This community is for followers of Jesus Christ. New Leaf celebrates the power of the Good News. They believe it dwells richly within its members. As members of God’s family they all have a purpose. They follow His will and work together. They strive to work as one body of Christ.
While New Leaf Baptist Church focuses on its local mission, other Baptist churches in Dallas have a long history. First Baptist Church Dallas was established July 30, 1868. It started with only eleven members. They first met in the Masonic Hall on Lamar Street. By 1872, they bought their first building on Akard Street in downtown Dallas. The cornerstone of their current sanctuary was laid in 1891.
First Baptist Dallas launched many ministries. These ministries range from Silent Friends to First Baptist Academy. They also founded Criswell College and Dallas Life. The church has a large reach.
In 2013, First Baptist Dallas built a 3,000-seat Worship Center. The expansion cost $130 million. The center provides 178,000 square feet of space. Older facilities were renovated too.
First Baptist Dallas completed a major renovation in 2013. It also added a new worship center. The project cost $130,000,000. In 2019, they announced another $35,000,000 expansion. This was for the Horner Family Center. They also added a new parking garage. The Family Center grew to 179,000 square feet from 98,500.
First Baptist Dallas has a large skywalk. It features a computer-synchronized water fountain. This fountain plays music. In 2024, a fire damaged the historic sanctuary. The cause of the fire is still undetermined.
First Baptist Dallas has had many senior pastors. W. W. Harris was the first. George Washington Truett became pastor in 1897. He stayed until his death in 1944. In 1944, Dr. W. A. Criswell took over. During his time, the church expanded greatly. It became the largest Southern Baptist church in the world. Robert Jeffress became pastor in 2007.
Whether it’s the spirit-filled mission of New Leaf Baptist Church. Or the long history of First Baptist Church Dallas. Dallas offers diverse paths for faith. Each church enriches the city’s spiritual landscape.