Gospel Lighthouse Church, Dallas, Texas
historic place
The Gospel Lighthouse Church in Dallas, Texas, began on January 23, 1940, with thirty founding members led by Reverend J.C. Hibbard. Initial services took place in a school auditorium and then a large circus tent. The first permanent church building was completed in January 1941 at 1900 South Ewing Avenue. It featured a 40-foot-tall, semi-circular lighthouse-shaped entrance. As the congregation expanded, a larger sanctuary opened in 1950. This second building, designed by Reverend Hibbard, was notable for its round shape and a rooftop lighthouse with a blue beacon. The church became a prominent Pentecostal congregation, serving over 2,000 members, and Reverend Hibbard's sermons were broadcast nationally. In 1972, the Gospel Lighthouse Church relocated. The original buildings at 1900 South Ewing Avenue later housed other congregations and are now home to Dream Center Dallas, a community support nonprofit. These structures have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting their architectural and historical importance in Dallas.