East St. Paul church condemned after devastating fire
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Investigators are still trying to find out what sparked a fire that caused heavy damage to an east St. Paul church.
The Seventh Adventist Church has been blocked off and condemned by the fire department, and church congregants are planning their next steps.
"The thing about this place is it's sacred, it's solemn, it's a revered place," said Uche Onukwuwe, who has been a congregant at the church for 10 years.
"It's a crazy world out there so when you have that relationship with God, this is a solemn place that is revered. It means so much to us," Onukwuwe said.
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which investigators say ignited just before 9 p.m. Tuesday. The fire inflicted heavy damage to the steeple, the roof, and inside the main sanctuary. According to church elders, congregants may temporarily relocate to a school gymnasium or a sister church across town.
"Our faith will always be there," said church elder Greg Demaray. "Well be able to start over again."
Early estimates is more than $100,000 in damage. Leaders are certainly asking the community for prayers, but also hope prayers can turn into action. They're hoping for tables and chairs for fellowship areas and cushioned chairs for attendees, along with Bibles and songbooks.
Police say no one was inside the church when the fire broke out, and there were no signs of forced entry or break-in.
A spokeswoman for the Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists say they expect a final report on the fire in two to three weeks. The church purchased the building back in 1969.