Highland Park United Methodist Church Breaks Ground on Tolleson Family Activity Center

DALLAS, TEXAS – September 1, 2017 – Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) took a giant step into its second century on August 30, 2017 with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Tolleson Family Activity Center. The building is the capstone of a multi-million dollar capital campaign inspired by the church's centennial milestone celebrated in February 2016.

HPUMC Senior Minister Rev. Paul Rasmussen, along with representatives of the John and Debbie Tolleson Family and Beyond Campaign Co-Chairs Mike and Natalie McGuire and John and Susie Adams, each wielded commemorative shovels as they ceremoniously broke ground at the construction site for the building.

"Thousands upon thousands will pass through these hallways and their lives will be changed and impacted for the better,” says Rev. Rasmussen, “that is holy ground." 

The 65,000 square foot building will feature dedicated space for Special Needs Ministry, Youth Ministry, and an underground parking garage with 140 new parking spaces. The first floor plans include a sensory room, motor movement room, and a fully functional kitchen for those with special needs. The second floor will be for HPUMC’s Youth Ministry and features a gaming center, lounge area, and café. The third floor will house a gymnasium and 500-person worship center. 

The ceremony also included a special moment where Rev. Matt Tuggle, Director of Family Ministries, laid more than 2,500 prayers from HPUMC’s congregation into the ground beneath the building. “They will be placed in the foundation of this building as a representation of the fact that truly this building is built on the prayers and the faith of this community,” says Rev. Tuggle.  

Construction on the Tolleson Family Activity Center is expected to be complete in early 2019.