Houston's First Baptist expanding to downtown campus

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston's First Baptist Church is planning a large expansion in the downtown area, church officials confirm.

Church leaders will close on a 40,000 square foot building at 1730 Jefferson St. on March 15.

The building is the former home the Communication Workers Union.

"We love downtown and want to stay downtown," Steven Murray with First Baptist said.

The church's first building was in downtown Houston, built in 1841. Since then, the church has expanded to five campuses across Houston, but left its downtown location in the 70's, Murray said.

It returned in 2011 to a small space that it leased. Church leaders began looking for a more permanent location they could have 24/7 access to.

"We're looking forward to what we can do in that area," Murray said.