Oakland Park Church Holds Service In The Open
OAKLAND PARK (CBS4) - In the little church of Praise Sanctuary there is a big hole in the roof, so then congregation gathered outside and praised their Lord straight into the heavens.
The hole in the roof is the results of a fire last week in the building on NW 27th street in Oakland Park that was part of a sad chain of events. Just after 7 a.m. on Wednesday the church founder, Louis Lawton, arrived to check on the church. At that time he saw that someone had broken through the front door and had stolen $4000 worth of musical equipment.
Because it was cold he turned on the heat which sparked a fire in the heating system.
"My reaction was to put it out so I took three fire extinguishers and put it out but I couldn't get up to the attic," Lawton tells CBS4 News Reporter Joan Murray last week.
Oakland Park Fire crews were on scene within minutes and put out the flames. But they had to cut a hole through the roof to do so. Inside there is smoke and water damage, and the city has declared the building structurally unstable.
"It's structurally unstable so we can't have Sunday or Bible services until its repaired," said pastor Victor Lawton. Additionally Pastor Lawton says the church won't be able to provide its monthly food distribution to 130 needy families in the community.
"It's not the building, it's the people I'm worried about," Lawton said.
Lawton says he's been in this location for the past 17 years but he founded the church more than 30 years ago.
The people who support this church week after week are already coming together to help.
"We live day to day with God's blessing, so this will be finished," said longtime friend Henry Moore.
If you would like to make a donation to replace the stolen musical equipment or help the church find temporary quarters call (954) 731-7441.
