Repairs Planned For Allentown Church Badly Damaged By Fire
ALLENTOWN (KDKA) -- Repairs are in the works for Hilltop United Methodist Church which is located in Pittsburgh's Allentown neighborhood.
Workers were resealing part of the roof on Thursday, when it caught fire. Officials say they were using a hot torch when the roof became engulfed in flames. Part of the ceiling collapsed and damage inside is extensive.
Sunday was an emotional day for parishioners because they had to go elsewhere for their services.
"We're filled with hope and anticipation when we can meet at our church again," parishioner Shirley Schmunk said.
Schmunk, 83, is a parishioner and organist at Hilltop United Methodist Church. She began playing the organ at the church when she was 14 years old.
"It's the only church I've ever known," she said.
Schmunk was baptized at Hilltop, met her husband there, and her three children were baptized there. She's been serving the Lord at Hilltop ever since.
However, she couldn't worship at her church today. She and her husband Jim Schmunk, 86, had services across the street at Barry Funeral Home alongside many other parishioners and their pastor, Rev. Sue Hutchins.
"We thought it was important to worship in Allentown so the folks from both congregations could walk to church which many of them do that," Rev. Sue Hutchins said.
That is exactly what they did. Parishioners from both Hilltop United Methodist Church and Redeemer on the Mount held services at the funeral home because Hilltop caught fire. Redeemer uses Hilltop for its services too. The Allentown Senior Center is also located in the church.
Fortunately, Rev. Hutchins says many of the church's worship items were salvaged, despite heavy water damage.
"I really feel sorry for the fellow who started the fire. He was very emotionally disturbed at the time," parishioner Jim Schmunk said.
"The adjuster said that by next August, we should be able to be back in and a few things left to redo," Rev. Hutchins said. "We're hoping to do a few things that would get us back in the basement sooner so that we can worship there and the senior center can be there."
"I first cried because I thought we lost our church, but now I feel there's going to be some redemption there that will be able to redo the church and that gives me hope," Schmunk said.
Rev. Hutchins estimates damage to be about $1.3 million. She expects the church's insurance to pay for it.
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