By Baptist Message staff
DEVILLE, La. (LBM) – A fire Saturday morning heavily damaged the worship center at Richey Baptist Church.
The fire was discovered around 11 a.m., according to Pastor Grady Dodge. Fire crews from Effie and Ruby-Kolin responded to battle the blaze. No one was inside the buildings at the time.
While most of the worship center was destroyed, Dodge said the steeple and a Bible located near the front doors miraculously survived.
“The church is not the building but the people,” Dodge said. “Even after such a tragedy, we are even more on fire for Him. We are so proud of our community and will continue to be here for it.”
Dodge said the church, which averages 150 for Sunday morning worship services, had insurance and plans to rebuild. The members hope to meet Sunday in its fellowship hall, which did not sustain significant damage.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Dodge said he is grateful for the many fire departments and especially the church’s youth who helped clean up the area after the fire was extinguished by early afternoon.
“I want to give a huge thanks to all who helped,” Dodge said. “Everyone stood in prayers and we very much felt it.”
