First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas, which is one of the nation's largest Southern Baptist Convention congregations needs more room and has announced a $130 million expansion program featuring a 3,000-seat worship center.

First Baptist Dallas, for more than 50 years, was the home church to internationally recognized evangelist Billy Graham.

Graham in late 2008 announced he was switching his membership to a church closer to his retirement home in Montreat, N.C.

The environmentally friendly campus for the Dallas congregation of about 11,000 is planned adjacent to the city's updated arts district, host to the new $354 million AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Pastor Robert Jeffress said the goal is to create a spiritual oasis that the residents of Dallas can enjoy.

“As I look around downtown Dallas, I see spectacular temples of commerce, of culture and of government, many new, some restored to former glory, and all intended to stand for generations,” Jeffress said.

“The Kingdom of God needs a home to equal them, a spiritual oasis in the middle of downtown,” he said.

The initial building of what became First Baptist was purchased in 1872.