Merriman Anderson Architects (MAA) is pleased to announce the completion of the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church renovation for the nonprofit organization, Dream Center Dallas. Dream Center Dallas provides resources and services in the areas of education, homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking within Dallas. Built in 1948, the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church was originally constructed to serve a congregation of about 250 members.
MAA was engaged to provide architectural and interior design services and to lead the historic renovation process to preserve the building’s most iconic features. In accordance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, the project included restoring the church’s original façade and prominent roof beacon. Key spaces and features such as the sanctuary, entrance vestibule, lighting, seating, and prayer rooms were also restored to honor the building’s original design and historic significance.
Functional upgrades, including classrooms, offices, and meeting areas, were designed to meet ADA standards, with the addition of a new elevator to improve accessibility. As a State of Texas Historic Tax Credit project, MAA worked closely with the Texas Historical Commission to ensure all standards for historic preservation were met.
The restored building marks the first of two historic structures being transformed to support Dream Center Dallas’ ministry and outreach operations.
"The design of the Historic Gospel Lighthouse Church honors the rich legacy of this beloved local landmark," says Milton Anderson, President of MAA. "Our team is grateful to be part of a project that holds deep meaning for the community and aligns with Dream Center Dallas’ mission to share generosity and unconditional love with all."
Merriman Anderson Architects is based in Downtown Dallas with offices also in Fort Worth, Austin, Charlotte, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. MAA is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm offering services including master planning, historic and adaptive reuse, project management, space planning, sustainable design, 3D visualization, and virtual reality.