MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The congregation of the 120-year-old Vanville Church of Christ met Sunday, one day after a fire at their church building.
Pastor Dan Nicksich said he received a call Saturday afternoon that the church was on fire. He said about 130 people congregated Sunday in one of the buildings at the Berkeley County Youth Fair.
Nicksich said several people have reached out to offer a place for the congregation. He says they’ll meet in their outside pavilion, as well, as weather permits.
Of the photos shared during Saturday’s fire, one of the more poignant is of firefighters carrying the large wooden cross out of the building. Nicksich told the Panhandle News Network there’s a story behind the cross.
“That cross was hand-built on site. There was a man who had a ministry, traveled around. The guys helped in hewing the wood in putting it together,” Nicksich said.
The cross was constructed before Nicksich came as pastor but he said he’s linked emotionally to the cross as are the other church members.
“That cross stood up front just to the right of the center of the sanctuary, a symbol that’s often pointed to,” he said.
The cross was scorched in the fire but it’s fine. Nicksich said it would be part of any renovation or rebuild the church will have.
The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a possible cause of the blaze.
Nicksich said the roof is down in the middle of the building but the downstairs, which was recently refurbished, may only have water damage.
He said church members are looking to the next step.
“We’re moving forward,” Nicksich said.