Dan Wilson was disheartened when he saw his church ablaze.
''It was sickening to watch the flames shooting from the building and firefighters with four hoses pouring water into the building,'' said Wilson, of Barberton. ''All I could think of is all the work we've put into the building is destroyed.''
Wilson, a trustee at the Green Family Worship Center Church of God, was the first officer to arrive Friday, shortly after neighbors reported the church was on fire.
Firefighters were called to the church on Cottage Grove Road about 12:30 p.m. When they arrived, the found heavy smoke and fire. Within minutes, the roof collapsed. Green Fire Capt. Mark Resanovich said the cause is not known; he did not have a damage estimate. No injuries were reported.
Congregation leaders said they hope repairs can be made to the church, but the extent of the damage is unclear.
Erin Rogers, 10, was one of the first to see smoke coming from the church. She watched as firefighters worked to contain the fire.
''I was helping my mom plant shrubs at a neighbor's house. I heard a loud pop, and my little brother pointed to the church and said, 'Look,' '' Erin said. ''I looked up, and at first I thought the smoke was coming from the chimney, and then I saw it was coming from the gutters, too. So I told my mom and she yelled to the neighbors to call 911.''
As the flames spread and the smoke thickened, Erin's brother, Ryan, 6, became increasingly anxious. The blasting sirens and roaring fire engines caused him more distress.
''It was scary. The fire was popping and there was so much noise,'' Ryan said. ''I never saw a fire before. It was pretty scary and kind of cool.''
Francis Roberts said the church, which is part of the Church of God, based in Cleveland, Tenn., was to be closed two years ago because of a dwindling membership. Instead, the national church agreed to allow a growing Church of God congregation from Wadsworth to move to the building.
Roberts, who is the church treasurer, said the Green church has about 160 members and an average Sunday attendance of 75.
''We have really been on the move here. Just last week, we were honored as church of the year in the state church,'' said Roberts, of Munroe Falls. ''Since we've been in this building, we've rewired it, installed a new furnace, air conditioner and new windows and completely remodeled the kitchen and fellowship hall.''
Roberts said that despite heavy fire, smoke and water damage, the records in the church office were not destroyed.
The pastor, the Rev. Richard Hoskins, was attending a family reunion in West Virginia when the fire started.
''I called him immediately, and he asked if he should come home,'' Roberts said. ''I told him there was nothing he could do, and he should stay and enjoy his family. It's a blow to see your place of worship destroyed, but I believe things will work out.''
Roberts' wife, Pam, fought back tears as she looked at the charred building.
''We're a church body that stays together. I just thank God nobody got hurt. The building can be replaced but people can't,'' Pam Roberts said. ''God is still God, and we'll be stronger because of this.''
Distributed by the Associated Press
