Category: News affecting the Church

Arrest made in U.S. church arson, church plans to rebuild

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JEFF TURNER

The pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California says an arrest has been made in connection to a fire that destroyed the church’s main building. But Pastor Edward Jenkins also said the church is not going anywhere and they will rebuild.

Last week a fire at the church left the church’s nearly 80-year-old building in ruin. Since then, items that could be saved have been pulled from the ashes including a pulpit and piano.

Authorities in Los Angeles have not released the suspect’s name or announced a motive behind the fire.

MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE FIRE FROM THE U.S.:

U.S. Congregation celebrates groundbreaking ceremony three years after arson

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JEFF TURNER

The congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes, Jew Jersey, held a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for a sanctuary to replace one destroyed by arson in 2019. Rebuilding has been delayed while the church worked out details with its insurance company.

Congregation members have worshipped in a nearby Christian School since the fire.

Construction is expected to be complete by March 2023.

Fire officials in 2019 reported there were no injuries from the fire. A suspect arrested in the case was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and ordered to confinement at a state mental health facility.

Three firefighters hurt fighting U.S. church fire

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DAVID INGRAM

Arson investigators in the U.S are working to determine if a California church fire that injured three firefighters was set on purpose.

The fire was reported shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday at the Victory Baptist Church in Los Angeles. A fire department spokesperson said more than 100 firefighters spent just under two hours to get the flames under control.

“My heart is so broken by this.  Our youth choir stand is no longer nor is the side of the church where we used to sit.  It’s devastating. I am still in disbelief. My childhood church is gone.  So much history there (Sunday School, youth choir, young adult choir, the church basketball team … so many memories from 1970s to 1980s) … wow. Please keep the family of Victory Baptist Church of Los Angeles in your prayers, Prayer Warriors,” posted one church member to the chruch’s Facebook page.

The building is a total loss. The congregation says it will rebuild.

Vandals leave anti-Christian graffiti and smashed windows at U.S. Presbyterian church

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JEFF TURNER

Anti-Christian graffiti, smashed glass and other damage left by vandals at a church in the U.S. greeted congregation members as they arrived for Worship on Sunday. The attack on St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon is one of dozens of similar criminal acts against houses of worship in the city this year.

Pastor Sarah Sanderson-Doughty said the church is insured, but the congregation will have to cover the delectable.

The congregation will pray for the vandal (or vandals) at a, “candlelight service of healing and forgiveness” this weekend.

Cause of Alberta church fire not yet determined

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STAFF

A church building in Alberta is a total loss following a fire this week, but was it intentionally set?

RCMP have been assigned to investigate a fire reported Thursday at The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Roman Catholic Church in Fort Chipewyan.  Some neighbors have speculated the fire could have been set intentionally because the church use to sit next to a residential school.

CBC has published photos of the fire HERE.

Only minor injuries were reported from as a result of the fire.