Mount Morris church shelters children evacuated from elementary school fire.

In 2001, when the principal of the David L. Rahn Elementary School walked across the street to assess Mt. Morris (Ill.) Church of the Brethren as a site for evacuations, the church promptly gave the okay. As church leadership changed over the years, the arrangement with the school was largely forgotten.

"Then there was the fire," pastor Lisa Hufford said. On Feb. 12, a swiftly moving fire destroyed the school. More than 300 children were evacuated to the church. "They say it was a miracle they got every child out," said Hufford. "Not even one child was injured."

At least 40 fire companies responded, and the church became the warming place and food center for close to 200 firefighters. Soon the church was hosting school meetings and became a distribution center. The quick evacuation meant the loss of everything in the building. "Children were walking over the snow to the church without their coats. Some of them didn't even have shoes on," Hufford said. After the news media relayed the need, truckloads of food and cold-weather clothing began arriving. "Before we knew it, we had more coats than children," Hufford said. The outpouring of aid "was amazing."

In true Brethren style the church also was very generous with facilities and food, Hufford reported. A chili supper had been planned for the next evening, and church members quickly cooked it up for the unexpected guests instead. Then they went ahead and held the supper as a fundraiser for those affected by the fire.

The church had viewed the school as its mission field, hosting after-school events such as Scout meetings. Now the church, as well as the community, is trying to figure out what long-term effects the loss of the school will bring. A decision about the building of a new school is pending, as the children attend in the neighboring town of Oregon.

Hufford took a moment after the fire to view the destruction from the back of the school, which borders a cemetery. "In that spot you think about what could have happened. It didn't happen. Sunday actually became a day of celebrating. We felt God's blessing."

Source: Newsline 2/20/2004
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