Thanks-Giving Square

Thanks-Giving Square at Ervay and Pacific in Downtown features a park area with benches, a water feature, and non-denominational chapel centered on the notion of gratitude. Groundbreaking occured in 1973; it opened to the public in 1977. Julius Schepps – a well-known and respected businessman, community leader, and philanthropist for whom the Jewish Community of Center of Dallas was named for many years – was 1/4 of the team who envisioned and executed the project. Religious leaders from various faiths and institutions, including representation from Dallas’ Jewish community, participated at the dedication to instill a sense of unity.

The chapel includes a spiral highlighted by stained-glass skylights and is open to the public daily (excluding prolonged closure in 2020-2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

Photos courtesy of the the Thanks-Giving Foundation and Charles Birnbaum. Click on image for expanded view.