wfn.org | Firefighter dies trying to save Georgia church

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Jan. 6 1999  Contact: Thomas S. McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{007}

NOTE: This story is accompanied by a sidebar, UMNS #008.

By Alice Smith*

Tragedy was compounded New Year's Eve when arson destroyed historic New
Salem United Methodist Church in Commerce, Ga., and killed a volunteer
firefighter.

"The church building was totally lost, but our primary concern is for the
fireman and his family," said North Georgia Bishop G. Lindsey Davis. "We can
replace buildings, but we really grieve for the family."
        
Three hours after the New Salem fire, Johnson United Methodist Church near
Watkinsville, Ga., suffered smoke damage from another fire. Both were ruled
arson by state Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine.
        
The two United Methodist churches were part of a string of five church
burnings over the holidays, two in Murray County Dec. 22-23 and another in
Walton County Dec. 25. The cause of one fire is undetermined, but three have
been ruled arson and one suspicious. All are predominantly white
congregations located in rural areas.

The death of volunteer firefighter Kennan Loy Williams, 27, has also made
the New Salem blaze a case of felony murder, Oxendine said.
        
While grieving the loss of their 138-year-old landmark church, New Salem
Pastor Luis Ortiz, and church members responded quickly and compassionately
to the Williams family. Ortiz spent "half the night" with Williams' wife,
9-year-old daughter and other family members on New Year's Eve and then went
back to see them at the funeral home.
        
"They're all church-going people, and were very glad I was there to spend
time with them and pray with them," Ortiz said. United Methodist Women
delivered food to the family, and a love offering was taken at the Jan. 3
service and presented to a family member who was present. The Gainesville
District and North Georgia Annual (regional) Conference are also making
gifts to the Williams.
        
Ortiz described the fireman's death as a selfless, Jesus-like act. "He
didn't have to be there, but he wanted to help save the church.  ... Other
men his age were out drinking and partying ... but he gave his life trying
to save a place of worship because he knew the meaning of it himself."
        
Loy Williams, brother Alvin Williams Jr., and their wives had been out to
eat and were headed home when they heard the call about the New Salem fire.
Although the Williams brothers are members of the Franklin County volunteer
fire-fighting unit, they quickly responded to the fire out of their
jurisdiction.
        
Loy Williams, a brick mason by trade, was killed when the roof collapsed on
him. Four other firefighters were treated for burns.
        
Ortiz described the pre-Civil War New Salem Church as a beautiful, well-kept
white frame structure, which can never be replaced historically. The altar
and other furnishings inside had been handmade by family members of previous
generations.  

"There are a lot of memories they'll never replace, even with a new church,"
Ortiz said.
        
But the congregation is determined to rebuild. The 98-member church had an
attendance of 141 on Jan. 3 as the congregation worshipped in the
still-standing fellowship hall. The members hope to place three trailers on
the property to serve as classrooms.
        
Although the church was insured for $87,000, Ortiz predicted it will take
$500,000 to construct a new building. The Gainesville District has already
committed $5,000, said the Rev. Parks Davis, superintendent, and other
contributions are coming in.
        
While Johnson United Methodist Church suffered "slight" damages in
comparison to New Salem, "it's a big blow to them," said the Rev. Carolyn
Morris, superintendent of the Athens-Elberton District. "The people had with
their own hands renovated the fellowship hall and kitchen several years
ago."
        
Damage was limited to the lower-level fellowship hall and kitchen behind the
sanctuary.  "There did not appear to be any structural damage but extensive
heat and smoke damage," Morris said.
        
The rural church was saved when a passer-by noticed the fire behind the
church and called for help. "Some kind of fire starter or fire bomb was
thrown through one of the back windows in the fellowship hall," said the
Rev. Robert N. Murphy, pastor of the Johnson church.
        
"Apparently this device was an efficient one," he said, "and if the
volunteer firemen had been five to 10 minutes later, we would have lost the
church."
        
Like the New Salem congregation, he expressed appreciation to the
firefighters who responded so quickly. "Our folks are grateful it was not
worse than it was."
        
The building was adequately insured, and he believes the congregation will
be able to get the church cleaned up and back in order "pretty rapidly."
Until then, services are being held in a church member's lakeside "cabin,"
which has a gathering room big enough for 65 to 70 people. The church has
132 members.

In view of the recent rash of church burnings, Oxendine said he is
contacting churches throughout Georgia and asking them to improve their
security. No arrests have been made in the arson cases, but a $10,000 reward
has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of
those responsible for the fires.
        
# # # 

*Smith is executive director of the Georgia United Methodist Communications
Council.

Firefighter dies trying to save Georgia church

Jan. 6, 1999  Contact: Thomas S. McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{007}

NOTE: This story is accompanied by a sidebar, UMNS #008.

By Alice Smith*

Tragedy was compounded New Year's Eve when arson destroyed historic New
Salem United Methodist Church in Commerce, Ga., and killed a volunteer
firefighter.

"The church building was totally lost, but our primary concern is for the
fireman and his family," said North Georgia Bishop G. Lindsey Davis. "We can
replace buildings, but we really grieve for the family."
        
Three hours after the New Salem fire, Johnson United Methodist Church near
Watkinsville, Ga., suffered smoke damage from another fire. Both were ruled
arson by state Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine.
        
The two United Methodist churches were part of a string of five church
burnings over the holidays, two in Murray County Dec. 22-23 and another in
Walton County Dec. 25. The cause of one fire is undetermined, but three have
been ruled arson and one suspicious. All are predominantly white
congregations located in rural areas.

The death of volunteer firefighter Kennan Loy Williams, 27, has also made
the New Salem blaze a case of felony murder, Oxendine said.
        
While grieving the loss of their 138-year-old landmark church, New Salem
Pastor Luis Ortiz, and church members responded quickly and compassionately
to the Williams family. Ortiz spent "half the night" with Williams' wife,
9-year-old daughter and other family members on New Year's Eve and then went
back to see them at the funeral home.
        
"They're all church-going people, and were very glad I was there to spend
time with them and pray with them," Ortiz said. United Methodist Women
delivered food to the family, and a love offering was taken at the Jan. 3
service and presented to a family member who was present. The Gainesville
District and North Georgia Annual (regional) Conference are also making
gifts to the Williams.
        
Ortiz described the fireman's death as a selfless, Jesus-like act. "He
didn't have to be there, but he wanted to help save the church.  ... Other
men his age were out drinking and partying ... but he gave his life trying
to save a place of worship because he knew the meaning of it himself."
        
Loy Williams, brother Alvin Williams Jr., and their wives had been out to
eat and were headed home when they heard the call about the New Salem fire.
Although the Williams brothers are members of the Franklin County volunteer
fire-fighting unit, they quickly responded to the fire out of their
jurisdiction.
        
Loy Williams, a brick mason by trade, was killed when the roof collapsed on
him. Four other firefighters were treated for burns.
        
Ortiz described the pre-Civil War New Salem Church as a beautiful, well-kept
white frame structure, which can never be replaced historically. The altar
and other furnishings inside had been handmade by family members of previous
generations.  

"There are a lot of memories they'll never replace, even with a new church,"
Ortiz said.
        
But the congregation is determined to rebuild. The 98-member church had an
attendance of 141 on Jan. 3 as the congregation worshipped in the
still-standing fellowship hall. The members hope to place three trailers on
the property to serve as classrooms.
        
Although the church was insured for $87,000, Ortiz predicted it will take
$500,000 to construct a new building. The Gainesville District has already
committed $5,000, said the Rev. Parks Davis, superintendent, and other
contributions are coming in.
        
While Johnson United Methodist Church suffered "slight" damages in
comparison to New Salem, "it's a big blow to them," said the Rev. Carolyn
Morris, superintendent of the Athens-Elberton District. "The people had with
their own hands renovated the fellowship hall and kitchen several years
ago."
        
Damage was limited to the lower-level fellowship hall and kitchen behind the
sanctuary.  "There did not appear to be any structural damage but extensive
heat and smoke damage," Morris said.
        
The rural church was saved when a passer-by noticed the fire behind the
church and called for help. "Some kind of fire starter or fire bomb was
thrown through one of the back windows in the fellowship hall," said the
Rev. Robert N. Murphy, pastor of the Johnson church.
        
"Apparently this device was an efficient one," he said, "and if the
volunteer firemen had been five to 10 minutes later, we would have lost the
church."
        
Like the New Salem congregation, he expressed appreciation to the
firefighters who responded so quickly. "Our folks are grateful it was not
worse than it was."
        
The building was adequately insured, and he believes the congregation will
be able to get the church cleaned up and back in order "pretty rapidly."
Until then, services are being held in a church member's lakeside "cabin,"
which has a gathering room big enough for 65 to 70 people. The church has
132 members.

In view of the recent rash of church burnings, Oxendine said he is
contacting churches throughout Georgia and asking them to improve their
security. No arrests have been made in the arson cases, but a $10,000 reward
has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of
those responsible for the fires.
        
# # # 

*Smith is executive director of the Georgia United Methodist Communications
Council.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
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