Fire at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County

A walkthrough of the fire damage with a healthy dose of God's love.

On July 1, we suffered a fire at First Presbyterian Church. No one was injured. The working theory is that lightning entered the building through a metal gas line, exited the gas line in the ceiling of Buck Hall, and ignited the leaking gas.

Damage to Buck Hall is mostly water damage from the sprinkler system and the fire hoses. The fire did get hot enough to warp some of the metal in the support structure.

The fire also got into the sanctuary floor, necessitating the removal of much of the chancel platform to put it out. Of course there is smoke damage to the Sanctuary/Buck Hall building.

We have entered a contract with our restoration company, and they have begun work. The building is currently closed by order of the fire marshal. We are working on a plan for Sunday worship, and will update you as we know more.

Many thanks to Amanda Cranfill and Virginia Callegary for raising the alarm, to Woody Collins and Ron Huffman for orchestrating the restoration, and to the Howard County Fire Department for their outstanding work. We had 10 fire trucks at the church.

Please keep the church in your prayers.