Pastor planning healing service after North Preston church damaged in fire
Posted Mar 23, 2017 11:44:21 AM.
Last Updated Mar 23, 2017 01:29:17 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NORTH PRESTON, N.S. – The pastor of a historic North Preston church says his congregation will soon work out a plan to rebuild after a fire caused extensive damage to the large structure.
Rev. Wallace Smith of St. Thomas Baptist Church said they are awaiting a report from an insurance inspector on how bad the damage is to a building that has been a central gathering spot since it was founded over 160 years ago.
No one was hurt in the accidental blaze, but the rear of the wooden building was left with a gaping, charred hole that reaches the peak of the roof.
Smith said a previously planned service on the theme of community healing will go ahead at the nearby community centre at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
He said while the fire is a setback, the congregation has strong faith in God and plans to work through what he refers to as “a grieving time,” and create a plan to return to their own building.
The pastor said on some Sundays, his church receives as many as 600 people and has a choir of about 30 people.
