A Plain Township congregation is seeking a temporary place to worship this weekend after an early morning church fire Wednesday caused about $200,000 in damage.
“We’re very grateful no one was harmed. We’re grateful to the fire departments,” said the Rev. Dana Gammill, pastor of Cathedral of Life.
Firefighters from Jackson and Plain townships and North Canton responded to the fire at 4111 38th St. NW.
The call came in at 7:31 a.m., Plain Township Fire Chief Chuck Shalenberger said. When units arrived at the church, there was heavy smoke coming from a window and roof vents of the church.
Crews reported fire on the first and second floors of the building, in classrooms, the main mechanical area and offices.
The sanctuary was not damaged by heat, the chief said, but did have smoke and some water damage. The heat is out, and there was damage to the main mechanical area of the church.
The cause of the fire, as well as where it started, is under investigation, Shalenberger said. Crews were on the scene from 7:36 a.m. until about 11 a.m.
Pastor Gammill, son of church founders Herschel and Gail Gammill, said he was told faulty wiring in the maintenance room might have caused the fire.
Most of the fire was confined to the east side of the building, he said. No one was in the church at the time.
Gammill said pastors and others in the community have called to offer help. The church has a few places it might be able to use temporarily for services Sunday. Members should check the Cathedral of Life page on Facebook for updates.
Church services scheduled for Wednesday night were canceled.
“We’re just kind of in emergency mode, assessing the damage,” Gammill said. “We’ll follow up and start the rebuilding process. We appreciate all the prayers, love and support of the community. ... All trouble isn’t trouble.”
The church was founded by Gammill’s parents in 1981 and first met in the old Lincoln High School, which later became Heritage Christian School, Gammill said. Construction on the 38th Street Northwest building began in 1983, and the congregation moved in in 1984.
“We want to thank the local township fire departments for all they did to save our building,” Gammill wrote on the church’s Facebook page. “No one was in the building so thank God no one was harmed and there was no loss of life: As always all things work together for good for those who are called according to God’s purpose and love him! Thank you for your prayers and support!”
Monica L. Thomas can be reached at 330-996-3827 or mthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @MLThomasABJ and www.facebook.com/MLThomasABJ.