Quick work saves 116-year-old Coles Point church sanctuary in fire

Date published: 1/5/2008

BY FRANK DELANO

A fire damaged four rooms of an addition to Coles Point United Methodist Church in Westmoreland County Thursday, but fast work by volunteer firefighters saved the 116-year-old sanctuary.

Trustee Edward A. McAllister credited a new fire station two miles away with saving the church. The Coles Point Substation of the Cople District Volunteer Fire Department opened last year.

"The new substation was what really saved the church. The first unit was here in five minutes after the call went out," McAllister said.

Firetrucks from Colonial Beach, Montross, Callao and Richmond County also responded. McAllister said the fire began about 10 a.m. in a furnace room and spread to an attic of the Sunday school addition.

According to a church history, the sanctuary was built in 1891 with lumber shipped by boat from Baltimore. The church now has about 60 members, McAllister said.

The fire briefly threatened the sanctuary, he said. The firemen moved the church's organ and piano and covered them with tarps before hosing down the flames, he said.

"They saved the church. There's no two ways about it," McAllister said. He said he didn't know how much it would cost to repair the damage.

The church will hold its services at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at Carmel United Methodist Church six miles away, McAllister said. Both churches are served by the same pastor.

Date published: 1/5/2008

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