GALENA, Ohio (WCMH) -- As Easter comes to an end, many across central Ohio and the country had a day full of family time, worship, and fun.
For one central Ohio church, the holiday almost looked much different.
A fire hit the Living Word Lutheran Church Galena just days ago and despite the challenges, the holiday went on as usual.
Residents try to overrule Whitehall Council tax breaks for controversial developmentWhen pulling into the parking lot, it’s hard not to notice the damage, which is now covered by a tarp. A few days ago, there was a question about whether Easter services would be held at the sanctuary, but on Sunday, that’s exactly where they were.
“It was a big deal and this was a really powerful Sunday for us to be in worship,” Living Word Lutheran Church Galena Senior Pastor Derrick Hurst said.
The Living Word Church Galena community is especially grateful for their sanctuary this Easter. There was a fire at the church early Wednesday, but luckily it was put out before spreading to the sanctuary.
“This is my extended family and so the fact we could worship here on Easter, the biggest day for us out of the year, was just huge,” Hurst said. “It was truly fantastic.”
Average Ohio mortgage debt increased to $149,427 in 2024According to the BST&G Fire District, a call about the fire went out around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Hurst said a few of the building’s offices are a total loss and there’s some other smoke damage, but the congregation received the OK to hold services in the sanctuary.
“I put it in my message this morning, I was brutally honest this morning, and I said I had moments of great disbelief,” Hurst said. “It's almost like I lost my faith for a minute when I saw the devastation, but God never stopped showing up.”
An alert neighbor got fire crews to the scene. A social media post from the fire district said that when she let the dog out, she smelled smoke and heard crackling, and knew it was out of the ordinary for the area, so she called 911.
“If our neighbor would not have been able to walk outside to walk her dog at three o'clock in the morning, we wouldn’t have a building,” Hurst said. “The fire department said we were potentially minutes away from something becoming pretty catastrophic.”
Hurst said an electrical issue caused the fire. From the fire departments to crews that have worked at the building so far to neighbors who’ve offered to help, Hurst is thankful for the outpouring of support the church has received.
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