Atmore congregation rallies after fire, holds service on lawn despite church building loss
ATMORE, Ala. -- The deadly weather system that rolled across the deep south this weekend is believed to be responsible for a church fire in Atmore.
Meteorologists report there were nearly 500 lightening strikes in the area Saturday night.
First Presbyterian Church of Atmore went up in flames.
Church goers still gathered Sunday morning at what was left of the building.
The service continued on the front lawn.
"First of all, all of our people are here this morning and have rallied around," First Presbyterian Church of Atmore interim pastor Jim Dietz said. "To see the community, First Methodist across the street from us, and the outpouring of support and offer of prayer and anything we need has been amazing."
"For our church people, it's a shock of course, but we're believing that God has something new for us, and we didn't anticipate that but we're going to accept that from God," he added.
The church says their first plan is to find a place to temporary hold worship services.
They anticipate needing an interim location for about a year.
"They took me on the other side of the building. And the guy said, 'This must really be devastating, What's going to happen to your church?' and i said, 'Oh the church is fine. The building is not.' and he said, 'Huh', a church goer said. "We have to stay together. I'm hoping that this will drive us closer."
While not confirmed, officials believe the fire was lightening related.
"It is so important for people to realize that we never know what's going to happen in our lives," church member Pamela Trubshaw said. "We never dreamed or expected this to ever happen, but there's a lot of love in this church."
The flames didn't stop Sunday service.
The morning opened with combined prayer from the neighboring Methodist Church. Chairs and a speaker system were also provided.
"That's what God's children are supposed to do for one another," Pastor Mike Vonkeyserling said.
The Atmore community as a whole has stepped up to support the congregation.
"A gentleman came up to me, I don't even know his name, he said 'we'll be raising some funds to help you in this transition.' we've been offered places to worship, use of buildings, whatever we need going forward. So that's been amazing. It's just god's people rallying around those that are hurting," Deitz said.
Despite the material loss, members are taking this as a sign for greater things.
We will pull together. We love each other," Trubshaw said. "We understand that God's hands are in this and we give him the glory with whatever happens and whatever is in our future."
The church says their first plan is to find a place to temporary hold worship services.
They anticipate needing an interim location for about a year.