CONTINUING COVERAGE- NewsChannel 6’s Ashley Flete spoke to some members of the church who were boarding the windows Wednesday morning.
UPDATE (Full Story):
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) -In Harrisburg a fire damaged a historic church.
It broke out shortly after midnight at Hosannah Missionary Baptist Church on the 17 hundred block of ellis street between Broad Street and the Calhoun Expressway.
The church was just about to celebrate 191 years this year. When NewsChannel 6 arrived on scene many church members were all gathered outside.
Deacon, James Harmon, says, “it goes back family after family after family. My wife was born and raised right there, 1741 that house right up there, and my wife would be 70 years old this year.”
A community that grew up praying within these four walls watched the roof cave into their sanctuary after two houses right next to it went up in flames.
Acting Chairman of Deacon Board, Anthony Nipper Sr., says, “this has been a result of these two houses which has been on fire prior to the church catching on fire this time.”
Church members say those same houses were on fire 8 months ago but firefighters were able to save the church. This time, it was only part of the church still standing.
“The firefighters have gone in and placed tarps over the pews. They brought out, we got a bible, thats probably 100-years old,” says Nipper.
For some, they are happy there is room to rebuild. For others, it will never be the same.
“We lost a lot of history. This was one of the, uh, this was on the National Registry of Historic Sites. So, now it can’t be put back the way it was,” says Harmon.
Nipper, also upset, says, “I’m hurt. We got a lot of things to rebuild.”
With one thing left to do…
“Just pray, just pray and have faith,” says Nipper.
Historic Hosannah Missionary Baptist Church has an annex building across the street. For now, that’s where they will hold their services.
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AUGUSTA (WJBF) – Augusta Fire officials are investigating a fire at a historic church in Harrisburg.
A blaze broke out at Hosannah Missionary Baptist church on Ellis street just after midnight.
Adjacent structures also ignited. No word yet on what sparked the blaze.
No injures reported.
NewsChannel 6 has a crew on the scene.
This is a developing story.
Hosannah Missionary Baptist Church History:
- As part of the Harrisburg-West End Historic District, Hosannah Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 1990.
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