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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
November 2001 |
Fowler UMC catches fire;
community comes together
By Matthew Oates
Hoosier UM News Correspondent
FOWLER, Ind. -- The Rev. Peggy Good was giving tours of Fowler UMC on Oct. 22, but her words were not of welcome, but warning people of what they were about to see.
Instead of looking at a sanctuary ready for worship, members who came in were greeted by pews covered with plastic, a stripped chancel and a heavily water -- and smoke-damaged sanctuary.
The fire at the church was discovered around 7:50 a.m. when the church secretary came in and smelled smoke, said Good. After hearing the fire alarm, she closed the doors and called 911 and Pastor Good. About 50 firefighters from five departments responded to the fire.
The blaze, which started in the southwest corner of the church above the balcony and nursery, caused extensive smoke and water damage. As of Oct. 23, the cause had not been determined.
Firefighters cut through the roof to fight the blaze. According to Good, the departments cut square holes in the flat roof so the church could repair the roof more easily.
"Everybody came and helped," said Good, recalling how the parsonage phone was ringing off the hook. "The community pulled together; they're still rallying."
The church met to determine a new location to hold Sunday services. When people found out about the fire, four locations were immediately offered.
An insurance adjuster from the North Indiana Conference was on site a few hours after the fire.
When Good arrived, as with the fire departments and many members and neighbors, she was bracing for the worse. "There was smoke coming out of the roof," she said.
After two hours the fire was contained. Neighbors lined up to haul items out of the 80-year-old building and into a tractor-trailer. A prayer service and Communion was held in the parking lot at 6:30 that evening.
Marie Ruppel was standing outside her church talking to other members, recalling various services and memories. As the smoke still lingers inside, so do her memories. She explains that the church is more than a building; it's the people. "There's a lot of emotional ties to the building," said Ruppel.
There is a miracle, though. The nursery did suffer some damage, but one item escaped unharmed, said youth director Deb Parker. "The cross was not touched."
Last updated on 01/14/2004