About

Church History

In 1961, four men, Dr. S. Lewis Johnson a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Harold Mims, Howard Prier and James Deen, began meeting weekly to discuss the prospect of planting a new church in Dallas, Texas. The principal topic of discussion was theological doctrine, but convinced that they were of one accord, the men next considered the practices of the church. Their prayerful conclusions regarding issues such as the nature of church meetings, the means of financial support, membership and church governance would give shape to Believers Chapel.

Believers Chapel became an assembly of professing believers who, under the oversight of elders with deacons and gifted men, sought to glorify Jesus Christ through the preaching of the Word, weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper, and complete dependence upon the Lord for financial provision.

The church began meeting in the Spring of 1962 in the auditorium of Betty Hoffman School, a small private school in Dallas. The fledgling congregation consisted of roughly 25 individuals. In 1969 the Chapel moved to its current location on 6420 Churchill Way in order to meet the demands of a growing body. Dr. Johnson, widely esteemed as “a Biblical scholar and theologian of rare abilities,” served as the primary teacher for the Ministry of the Word at Believers Chapel for over 30 years.

In 1993 S. Lewis Johnson stepped down from his role at the Chapel, and Dan Duncan, a former student of Dr. Johnson, was called to fill the role as the primary teaching elder, a role he capably continues to the present. For over 50 years the church has proclaimed the good news of the Gospel throughout Dallas, the United States and the world. Spanning its entire history, Believers Chapel has seen the Lord meet its every need.