Cleanup crews remained at Glyndon United Methodist Church on Butler Road in Baltimore County early Monday as officials came to grips with damage to its slate roof Sunday during torrential rainstorms.
Pastor Norman Obenshain said lightning struck the 78-year-old church located in the historic area of Glyndon around 5:20 p.m., causing fire to the steeple and roof.
The incident also resulted in minimal water damage to an ushers? closet used to store sound equipment.
However, Obenshain said the bell on the tower remained in place as he pointed to the partially caved-in roof that could be clearly seen from across the street where passers-by stopped to assess the damage.
Obenshain said church officials had not come up with a cost estimate for the water damage. Workers primarily dried out carpets and removed debris and placed plywood and plastic over the roof to prevent water from seeping in.
The Tudor-style parsonage is connected to the stone and cinder block church.
Obenshain was not home when the lightning strike occurred but his family was. He said they were notified after next-door neighbor Heather Donatelli called to say smoke was coming from the tower.
Several fire units responded within three minutes after 911 was called.
Donatelli said her family had been watching TV when they heard a loud banging noise.
“A few minutes later, my husband took the dog out for a walk and thought he smelled something,” Donatelli said. “He took me outside and although it was hard to tell from the gray skies, we realized smoke was coming from the steeple.”
Baltimore County Fire Department spokeswoman Elise Armacost said firefighters had to go through the steeple to get to the fire inside. No injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, Armacost said.
Obenshain also noted the former wooden frame sanctuary burned to the ground in 1929 because of a faulty furnace.
