OHIOVILLE, Pa. — A Beaver County congregation is determined to rebuild after a historic church went up in flames. The building was destroyed but parishioners with New Salem Presbyterian Church still came together for service Sunday morning.
The smell of smoke is still in the air two days after the devastating fire. A burnt-out shell is all that’s left of the New Salem Presbyterian Church. Charred debris remains on the ground as plywood covers some of the big holes in the church’s walls to keep people from going in.
PHOTOS: Historic church on fire in Beaver County
“I was just sickened. I mean, I was so sick,” said Bonnie, a former parishioner.
Many people, including Bonnie, who played the organ at the church three decades ago, are holding on to the memories.
“It was a wonderful church,” she said. “I enjoyed coming back to visit when I could but it’s just part of my life. It’s just sad.”
A fire tore through the historic church in Ohioville on Friday, Jan. 24.
Pastor Jeff Marquis is grateful no one was inside at the time.
“Unfortunately, this fire took everything,” Marquis said.
But not all was destroyed. The wooden cross somehow survived the flames.
“The roof collapsed; the pulpit’s gone; the pews are gone,” said Marquis. “There’s nothing else. It’s all gone but up front, the cross is still standing.”
Buried in the rubble, a candle was found still flickering.
“I know that the Lord shows us things at different times and this thing has been burning ever since,” Marquis said. “A light that shines in a dark time.”
Just like that light, Pastor Marquis said the congregation will continue to shine. For now, the 40 to 50 parishioners are holding services in the fire hall at the Ohioville Fire Department down the street.
“I picked the fire hall because I wanted a humble beginning,” Marquis said.
The church is waiting to hear back from the insurance company. Until then, like that cross, the congregation is standing strong as it plans to rebuild and start over.
“They’re feeling homeless a bit, just like they lost their best friend because it’s the place where people go and life starts and life ends,” Marquis said.
It’s early in the investigation but so far state police believe an electrical fire started in the basement and then went up the walls into the attic.
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