Texas Baptists passes Baptist Building legacy to Baylor University nursing school

DALLAS- On Wednesday, Texas Baptists held a monumental "passing the mantle" ceremony to commemorate the legacy of Texas Baptists at 333 N. Washington Ave. in Dallas and the future of the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON), which will soon take residency in the 100,000 square-foot building.

The August 26 ceremony featured remarks from leaders of both Baptist-affiliated organizations including Dr. David Hardage, executive director of Texas Baptists, and Dr. Shelley Conroy, dean and professor of LHSON.

"Texas Baptists have been blessed by this building for close to 30 years," Dr. Hardage said. "God has used it to positively influence the spiritual lives of many people all over Texas and beyond. Now, with the Louise Herrington School of Nursing making use of this facility we, Texas Baptists, are confident and excited that many lives will enjoy the positive physical benefits of extraordinary nursing care from a spiritual foundation. The future is bright for Texas Baptists and for Baylor nurses."

Dr. Conroy said the nursing school will be blessed to carry on the legacy of faith and good works Texas Baptists has provided over the years in the beautiful facility.

"We are humbled and blessed by the Christian symbolism reflected in this facility such as the glass support system at each end of the atrium that forms a cross, the stone floor in the atrium that symbolizes the solid foundation of our faith and the open skylight access to our Heavenly Father," she said. "Each time we look at them we will be reminded of our mission and calling. We want to be counted worthy to carry on the good work that the Lord has begun through the BGCT in this building."

The commencement also featured a presentation about Baptist Building history from Dr. Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection, and testimonies from Keith Crouch, director of church architecture for Texas Baptists, and Johanna Bridges, a Baylor University nursing student.

Since the building was constructed in 1988, the Baptist General Convention of Texas has called 333 N. Washington Ave. in Dallas its home. Beginning Monday August 31, 2015 the Texas Baptists staff members will transition to their new office space located at 7557 Rambler Road in Dallas, where they will occupy two floors of a 14-story building.