A day after a lightning strike sparked a fire that destroyed Dawsey United Methodist Church in Florence, its pastor, the Rev. Nick Lyerly, said the church’s first priority is to find a location for Sunday services.
This Sunday, Dawsey’s congregation will join Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Effingham for a 10 a.m. worship service, Lyerly said.
Lyerly, who also serves as pastor for Tabernacle, said the two churches have what’s called a two-point charge, meaning they often work together.
MULTIMEDIA
Morning News Photographer Angela Kershner was first on the scene as firefighters battled the blaze that would ultimately destroy Dawsey United Methodist Church. Watch a slideshow of those efforts and the building's final minutes here.
After this weekend’s service, Lyerly said the church hopes to move to a temporary site for worship.
“We don’t know yet where we’re going to go,” he said. “We’ve had some offers, but we’ll have to go and look at them.”
Lyerly said he expects the damage caused by Thursday afternoon’s fire to be covered by insurance.
He also said the church, which has a congregation of 30 to 40 people and was founded 40 years ago, likely will rebuild at the same location on Pamplico Highway.
The fire was caused by lightning after severe storms moved across the Pee Dee on Thursday, Florence County Emergency Management Natural Hazards Coordinator Kristy Hughes said.
About 25 firefighters and six fire trucks responded to the fire, which took about an hour and 30 minutes to contain, Howe Springs Fire Department Capt. Ric Collins said.
Firefighters cut a hole in the roof of the church to try and relieve pressure and smoke, Collins said.
Although the church was destroyed, Lyerly said everyone is relieved that nobody was hurt.
“We’re thankful that there was nobody inside the church, and the firemen were great there” he said. “Nobody was injured, so we’re very thankful for that.”
— Morning News Staff Writer Jamie Rogers contributed to this report.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement