First Baptist Church of Plano announces expected construction start for new facility

First Baptist Church of Plano expects to begin construction on its new church beginning in March, according to a Feb. 5 news release.

An open-to-the-public groundbreaking and worship service will be held at 2 p.m. March 15 at 3665 W. George Bush Turnpike, between Independence and Coit Road in Plano. The church finalized the purchase of the 10.42 acres in November.

FBC Plano plans to move into its new facility by the end of summer 2021, the release said. The church will continue to lease its original downtown property until construction is complete.

The new facility will have a worship center, adult classrooms, a large youth meeting area and will accommodate classrooms for 200 children and an indoor play area, the release said. Lionheart Children’s Academy, partners with the church since 2017, will join the church in moving to the new facility following construction.

The church’s historic downtown property was sold to Texas InTown Homes in October, following an agreement with the developer announced by FBC Plano in September.

InTown Homes plan to re-purpose the church’s chapel as the centerpiece of a 10-acre, mixed-use property. The property expects to have 50 for-sale urban townhouses, 270 apartments with live and work units as well as office, retail and restaurant spaces, as previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the new postponed groundbreaking date.