Correction: An earlier version of this story mistook this property for a former location of the Gospel Lighthouse Church.
A real estate partnership with a taste for historic preservation has purchased this lighthouse church at 919 Morrell Ave.
The building dates to 1921, according to the City of Dallas, which designated it a City of Dallas historic landmark in 2004.
It features a unique bell tower and is about a mile away from the former Gospel Lighthouse building, which was constructed in 1942.
The building was originally Oak Cliff Assembly of God. Its most recent owner was Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Oak Cliff resident Emily Cortez, one of the investors, announced the purchase on social media:
With the demolition of the 500th block of 8th Street in Bishop Arts District, 10th Street Freedmen’s Historic District, The Bottoms neighborhood, La Bajada in West Dallas and Campo Santo de Cemento Grande in Eagle Ford, we are fighting against destructive investors and the City of Dallas’ path of tearing down buildings in predominantly BIPOC communities around the metroplex. My job will not only be to help protect this building with my company but to meet with as many neighbors as I can, learn the history and create a space for Cedar Crest, 10th Street Historic District and Beckley Club Estates to connect for many years to come.
Proxy Property Management, owned by husband-and-wife business partners A.J. and Michaella Ramler, are part of the ownership group, along with Keith Aldis, Ryan Patterson, Richie Plimmer, David Cervantes and William Baker. Matt Peterson and Devin Pharis of Estacado Interests are also in the partnership.
The building has water damage, especially in the chapel, Cortez says.
“We’re going to be completely preserving as much as we can,” she says. “It has great bones, though!”
They’re planning to create a community space for performances, weddings and office space.
“It’s important to us that it’s for the community,” she says.
They plan to dimly light the bell tower again and put the original church bell into use. She shared these photos of the interior.
