A two-alarm fire that destroyed most of the roof of Baltimore First Seventh Day Adventist Church?s sanctuary in Ellicott City will not stop the congregation?s church service Saturday.
“We are thankful that we had no injuries, and that none of the fire fighters were injured,” said Pastor Ben Boggess on Friday.
The congregation of about 300 people will hold its Sabbath School at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Saturday, said church member Peggy Jean Lee.
The one-story church building caught fire about 8:30 p.m. as severe thunderstorms swept through Howard County on Thursday, said Bill Mould, public information officer for the Howard County Fire and Rescue.
About 60 firefighters responded to the church at 3291 St. John?s Lane, about a mile north of Route 40.
The fire was under control in about 25 minutes, but fire crews stayed for three hours, making sure none of the embers caught fire, said Mould.
Mould could not say the storms caused the fire, but he didn?t rule them out as the cause.
Boggess, who lives next to the church, said he was alerted to the fire after the congregation had finished its kindergarten graduation in the building.
“I saw a flash of light, and I heard this crackling,” he said. “One of the members came running over and said, ?The church is on fire!?”
On Friday, volunteers gathered at the church to help clean up.
“I think Satan is trying to hold back the work of salvation, but he?s not going to win,” said Frank Coleman, 86, who has been a member of the church since before World War II.
Boggess said the church began in Baltimore in 1888 and moved to Ellicott City in 1989.
