Massachusetts’ First Congregational Church destroyed in fire
A historic church in Spencer, Massachusetts, dating back to the 18th century has been completely destroyed after a fire broke out on Friday night. The First Congregational Church was engulfed in flames following a storm and reports suggest that the steeple was struck by lightning. The raging fire quickly spread to the ground floor of the church, and although fire crews rushed to the scene from the nearby area, they were unable to save the building.
No one was injured during the blaze and the church was empty when the fire broke out. The Interim Pastor of the church, Rev. Bruce MacLeod, stated that the building was constructed using wood and other materials dating back as far as the 1800s, which he believes could have been the cause of the fire spreading so quickly. The congregation of the Protestant church has around 30 people, and the Pastor has stated that it is too early to know if the church can be rebuilt.
The First Congregational Church was built in 1743 after Nathaniel Cunningham, a wealthy Cambridge merchant, donated the land for its construction. The church was replaced by a larger building in 1772, with the steeple being added in 1802. This was not the first case of a fire causing havoc for the church. In January 1862, a fire completely destroyed the house of worship. It was rebuilt in 1863 and stood until Friday’s fire.
FAQs
What caused the fire at First Congregational Church?
It is not yet known what exactly caused the fire, but reports suggest that lightning was the likely cause.
Were there any injuries?
Thankfully, no one was injured during the fire.
Can the church be rebuilt?
At this time, it is too early to know if the church can be rebuilt.
When was the First Congregational Church built?
The church was built in 1743 after Nathaniel Cunningham donated the land for its construction.
Fire Destroys Massachusetts’ First Congregational Church
A historic Massachusetts church, dating back to the 18th century, was engulfed in flames on Friday night. First Congregational Church in Spencer, Massachusetts, about 50 miles outside of Boston, caught fire following a storm. Fire crews responded to reports of the fire at around 3 p.m. Flames burst out the sides of the church’s steeple and quickly spread to the ground as the blaze grew stronger. Authorities reported that the church was empty when the fire broke out and no one was injured during the incident. Fire officials believe lightning struck the church. The church’s interim pastor, Rev. Bruce MacLeod, revealed that the building was constructed using materials dating back to the 1800s, which may have contributed to the speed at which the fire spread. The church’s congregation has around 30 members, and it is unknown if the church can be rebuilt. Firefighters have put up a collapse zone around the church, and the investigators are yet to determine the extent of the damage and if the building must be completely torn down. This was not the first time the church experienced a fire, as a fire in 1862 almost destroyed it entirely.