Founded decades earlier as Bethel Baptist Tabernacle, the church in Far East Dallas had been shrinking for years. Leaders had tried to attract new worshippers to its sanctuary on Ferguson Road, but membership dwindled until it was down to a few dozen people in the early 2020s.

Mike Chism, a former associate pastor whose grandfather was a charter member of Bethel, said remaining members decided to merge with a church in Mesquite. That left Bethel with a four-acre campus of sturdy, cream-colored brick buildings surrounded by expansive parking lots they needed to sell.

The situation could have deteriorated into another disheartening story about a dying church with an empty building that decays into a neighborhood eyesore.

Instead, it’s an encouraging tale of a church determined to see something good grow on its former property and a watchful nonprofit, the Ferguson Road Initiative, that helped ensure its redevelopment fit the area’s needs. In a city where strident NIMBYism often obstructs redevelopment, it’s a story where NIMBY never happened.

“We had been members of [the Ferguson Road Initiative],” Chism said. “They were aware that we were struggling and needed help figuring out what we wanted to do with the property. They put us in touch with a developer.”

Bethel sold the property to a local developer active in the area and committed to building homes for middle-income families. The deed transferred in March. Proceeds from the sale went to the congregants’ new church home in Mesquite.

Dallas County commissioners agreed in November to kick in $1 million to help pay for underground infrastructure. By mid-2027, construction should be underway on 53 new, single-family, detached townhomes that police officers, teachers and social workers could afford to buy.

“We are absolutely committed to building ‘missing middle’ housing in this community,” said Vikki Martin, the initiative’s executive director.

Her organization’s involvement helps explain why the deal progressed relatively smoothly. The Ferguson Road Initiative has been steadily organizing neighborhood associations and crime watch groups since 1998. It does not run programs; it convenes meetings and coaches local leaders. When there’s a zoning change request, or a major property for sale, the initiative has a process to ensure local residents help guide what happens next.

Martin’s group will arrange a preliminary meeting to bring together the developer, property owner, neighborhood association leaders, relevant City Council and Plan Commission members and a few others. The leaders take the information back to their associations and solicit comment. The process leaves room for reasonable discussion and compromise.

“It’s all very organized,” Martin said. “There’s no yelling.”

The vacant church, with its distinctive, blocky tower, still stands near the intersection of North Buckner Boulevard and Ferguson Road. After it’s gone, something very different, but very much needed, will rise in its place. Bethel’s final legacy in Dallas will be new homes and an example of how redevelopment can grow from trust and goodwill.

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DALLAS – A cold front that moved through the region on Thursday brought scattered rain and thunderstorms, leaving some areas with more than an inch of rainfall while others saw little to none.

Sunday Forecast

Early morning temperatures fell below freezing in several areas, including a low of 29 degrees at Possum Kingdom Lake. Dallas dipped to 34 degrees, while Cedar Creek Reservoir reported 40 degrees. 

Strong winds are adding to the chill, pushing wind chills into the 20s across much of North Texas. Some areas reported “feels like” readings in the upper teens. 

Dig deeper:

Clouds will linger through the day as the system moves east, contributing to significant travel impacts across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, where rain is transitioning to sleet and snow. The upper-level low spinning over the Great Lakes is expected to continue producing snow in that region.

Monday forecast

Locally, North Texas is not expected to see major issues heading into the weekend. Forecasters say a southwest flow aloft will keep cloud cover in place and may produce isolated showers on Monday. 

Temperatures should stay above freezing, preventing any wintry precipitation. Rain chances remain low, about 20 to 30 percent, and will be scattered.

7-Day Forecast

Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be quieter, with a gradual warmup returning highs to the 50s on Tuesday and near 60 on Wednesday. Another stronger system arrives Thursday, bringing a better chance for widespread rain and thunderstorms before drying conditions return Friday.

While temperatures will fluctuate throughout the week, forecasters say the overall trend features more cold days than warm ones. The upcoming weekend, however, is expected to offer calmer weather and near-normal temperatures.

The Dallas Cowboys have been receiving good news in the secondary all week.

All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs is expected to return to action in Week 14, while fellow All-Pro DaRon Bland avoided serious injury on Thanksgiving Day. The same goes for starting safety Malik Hooker, who was in and out of the game due to back spasms.

Now, another Cowboys cornerback with starting experience is ready to return to the field and contribute down the final stretch.

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Third-year cornerback Josh Butler, who started the season on the PUP list, took to social media to share the message that he has been “ready since Week 6,” but he’s just trusting the process.

“Been a year. Been ready since Week 6 and healthy,” Butler wrote on X. “I just want to ball with the gang. This team so fun. Trusting in God but I’m ready. Let’s go Cowboys.”

Butler began the 2024 season on the practice squad, but was promoted to the active roster on November 18. He played in five games, starting three, before suffering a torn ACL in Week 13 against the New York Giants.

If Butler is activated and returns to the roster, the Cowboys’ secondary will be as healthy and deep as it has been in the past few seasons. Because Butler is on the PUP list, he would not count as one of the team’s two remaining IR-return spots. He would simply need to be added to the roster.

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An intriguing CB option

During his brief action in 2024 under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, Butler showed a lot of promise. Butler recorded five pass deflections, one sack, and 21 total tackles in his five games.

While the Cowboys’ defense has been thriving since the addition of Quinnen Williams, cornerback remains one of the biggest weaknesses.

There is undeniable depth at defensive tackle, defensive end, at linebacker with the addition of Logan Wilson, and even at safety now that the starters are healthy. But cornerback is an area where the team should consider all options.

If Butler is ready to go and a roster spot is available, he would be an intriguing option for the team to consider.

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