Historic Church Destroyed by Flames in Grand Rapids, MI
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A group of worshippers and other residents looked on through a screen of smoke Thursday morning as Grand Rapids firefighters continued to battle an overnight fire near a church.
Shattered windows and a partially collapsed roof were among the visible signs of damage from an hours-long fire caused to the former Seventh Day Adventist building.
The building is located on Sheldon Avenue SE and was erected in 1894 by the All Souls Universalist congregation, according to MIGenWeb, a free online project that provides genealogical and local history information for Michigan.
Architect William George Robinson designed the building, which cost $50,000 to build. The building’s current use is unclear.
The former church is near La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, which did not sustain any immediate damage from the blaze.
No injuries have been reported.
Firefighters responded to the scene shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, with heavy smoke and fire coming from the basement windows.
Crews spent hours overnight battling the fire that spread in the basement and on the main level of the building. The fire also caused significant damage to walls and other void spaces, fire officials said.
Fire crews used aerial equipment just before 10 a.m. Thursday, still working to extinguish parts of the burnt building.
Smoke filled a portion of Oakes Street SE as firefighters continued to spray the basement area.
Nearby, a group who had gathered for Bible study watched while the fire was still active but not visible.
The fire remains under investigation.
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