Online Archives

BY MELISSA LAUBER
UMCONNECTION STAFF

The pulpit Bible was the first thing members of Mt. Vernon UMC in Baltimore recovered from their church, which was recently destroyed by a fire.

"The first thing is always the Word of God," said the Rev. Robin Johnson. It's a sentiment members are embracing as they begin to rebuild the church's future.

The congregation of Mt. Vernon UMC in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood suffered an estimated $5.5 million in damage to their church building when lightning set off a three-alarm blaze Aug. 2.

Church members, like Betty Callahan, told the Baltimore Sun about "fire tongues licking the base of the steeple and then engulfing the 130-year-old bell tower and slate roof in flames."

As firefighters labored for more than four hours in the early morning to extinguish the blaze, Johnson gave thanks that no one was hurt in the fire. However, city officials condemned the property, sealing it in the days that followed the fire until the steeple could be removed.

"In the midst of darkness, we believe in hope and hope is certainly here today," Johnson said as he gazed up at the charred steeple, shattered stained-glass windows and exposed roof beams.

The church had recently spent $20,000 repairing its roof because small leaks were damaging the sanctuary. "Just imagine how much damage water being poured into the church for four hours can do," said Johnson.

One day after the fire, the congregation gathered at nearby Hampden UMC.

Present at the worship service were Bishop John R. Schol and his wife Beverly. The blaze brought back memories to the pair, who remembered standing outside on a cold December night after a fire had destroyed the first church building they served. "We grieve your loss and pledge to stand with you in your hour of need," the bishop said.

Also pledging their support and prayers were the Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, superintendent of the Baltimore Metropolitan District, and the Rev. Rod Miller, conference director of connectional ministries.

"Church buildings are sacred places where baptisms announce that we are all God's children, where youth are confirmed and profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, where God blesses marriages and where the faithful are remembered at their funerals," the bishop said.

"The Mount Vernon building served God as the congregation served the community. Your building was a sacred home that brought healing and salvation to the congregation and the community," he said, reminding those present that they will be "more than conquerors."

"Nothing will separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," the bishop concluded, "not even fire and destruction."

In unexpected ways, Johnson said, the bishop's words are proving to be prophetic.

In recent months, events within the congregation caused serious disagreements among church members. "We had a split in the church, but the fire brought us together," Johnson said.

It is also giving them the opportunity to think about their future in new ways.

"We're now called to make decisions about whether we want to rebuild a church from 1870 or if we want to build a church for 2010," Johnson said. "This could have been a Pentecostal fire. This could be a sign of doing something new. We want to do what God wants us to do."

Questions abound, Johnson said. Members are having to consider whether on not they want to spend $180,000 to replace a pipe organ, when there are three other United Methodist churches within a mile radius with similar organs, which are expensive to maintain.

As they assess the damage, the church is moving through a grieving and a growing process. They expect to be able to decide how they want to move forward by September. Until then, they'll be meeting in a variety of neighborhood churches.

Many people in the community have dropped by to tell them how important the church is in their lives.

Johnson and the congregation are a bit startled at the depth of feeling in the community that surrounds their church, with neighbors claiming it "means the world to them."

They're inviting those people to worship services on Sunday.

City officials, like Mayor Sheila Dixon and Councilwoman Mary Pat Clark have also reached out to the church, which believes these moments of attention might be used to build more effective community outreach ministries.

Johnson has pledged that the 40-member church will not die. "The church is not a building," he said. "The church is a community, and we will continue. God's story continues."