Ohio church burns on Christmas Eve, district calls for prayer.

Black River Church of the Brethren in Spencer, Ohio, burned to the ground near midnight on Christmas Eve. The fire broke out some time after the congregation’s Christmas Eve service was over, but preliminary reports are that the fire was not related to the candlelight service.

"We’re all okay. We’re looking ahead to rebuild," said pastor Mark Teal. "The real church is the people," he added.

"Please keep pastor Mark Teal and the congregation in your prayers as they faithfully look to the future," said John Ballinger, executive minister of Northern Ohio District. The congregation of about 80 on a Sunday morning is "a vibrant, very healthy congregation," said Ballinger. "They have a very good spirit about them. They are going to recover."

The congregation is meeting in a building of Chatham Community Church, a neighboring church just a couple of miles away, Teal said. They have received a lot of support from the community and the district, he said, and received a supportive visit from General Board staff member Brad Bohrer and his family last Sunday.

The fire was a shock for the congregation, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, Teal said. Black River weathered a disaster not many years ago in 2001, when its roof was damaged by a tornado. The church then had to do extensive remodeling because of water damage.

Now that sanctuary is completely gone, Teal said. All that is left standing is a "bump out" that used to be the entrance to the building, and two walls. "It’s a complete loss," he said.

The official report of the fire has not yet been issued, but is due at any time, Teal said. He said preliminary reports are that the fire was not set deliberately and most probably was an electrical fire, but the exact cause has been difficult to determine.

An e-mail communication from the district responded to those who have asked how they can help. Teal said that volunteers will not be needed for clean up from the fire, which will need to be done professionally with heavy machinery. However, when the church begins to rebuild, the congregation hopes to hire a contractor who will allow volunteer labor, Teal said.

The limits of the church’s insurance will not cover the building of a comparable sized church, Teal said, and so the congregation will seek help from volunteers, and donations from companies and individuals to make up the difference. Love offerings are being received at First Merit Bank, made out to the "Black River Church of the Brethren Rebuilding Fund."

God’s gift of faith is what is keeping Black River going. Pastor Teal has received "the gift of calm, the gift of peace," he said. "I’ve felt encouraged that God is going to do something bigger and better. God is already blessing and using his people to bless us."

Source: 1/3/2007 Newsline