Bannertown Baptist Church in Mt. Airy lost one of its facilities Nov. 8 after a fire ripped through their “old sanctuary.” No one was injured in the blaze. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but no foul play is suspected, according to news reports.
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The old sanctuary was previously home to the church’s youth ministry program and a number of Sunday School classrooms. Another building on the property, the “new sanctuary,” received smoke damage but was untouched by the fire, said the church’s website.
Local news reported that Bannertown’s youth were meeting outdoors when the youth minister’s wife smelled smoke and called authorities. Other church members were meeting on campus when the fire occurred, said the church’s website, but everyone evacuated safely.
“We were blessed that people were here, because if that fire had burned 10 more minutes before the fire department was called, then they probably wouldn’t have saved the new church,” a Bannertown deacon, Sam Holder, told reporters. “It was a blessing we were here, but another blessing no one was hurt. I think it worked out the best it could.”
Monetary gifts may be mailed to: Bannertown Baptist Church, Attn: Building Fund, 1834 Westfield Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030.