COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — Members of the 24th Street Missionary Baptist church looked on Columbus Fire and EMS crews worked to control the fire that fire officials say was set outside the church.
On the night of November 1, Columbus Fire and EMS arrived at the scene of a fire at 24th Street Missionary Baptist Church. Chief Fire Marshall John Shull confirmed with WRBL there is an ongoing arson investigation.
For 102 years, worshippers have called the historic church home. Many were baptized here and married here. Come Sunday morning, however, the members will have to worship someplace else.
Deacon Charles Wise says someone set fire to the recycling bins on the north side of the church.
“Looking at it from the outside, it’s going to be a lot of damage A lot of damage,” said Wise.
Wise and other church members watched as Fire and EMS crews put out the fire, making the necessary phone calls, wondering what the immediate future holds. They don’t believe they can worship here Sunday. As for long range plans, they are trusting God and those He sends.