Fire Causes Significant Damage to Texas Church

March 12--Though a fire burned through his church on Friday and displaced worshippers Sunday, the Rev. Mike Holster lists what he calls the "Praise the Lords" -- the numerous blessings he believes Second Baptist Church in Levelland has received.

For example, the police officer who, while passing by the church, happened to spot smoke coming from the building. The officer's early call to the fire department helped limit fire and water damage to two hallways in the building.

Then, aside from a firefighter injured by a falling a light, no one else suffered a hurt in the blaze.

The damage in the church, though significant, was not as bad as it could have been said a thankful Holster, who serves as the church's associate pastor.

Second Baptist is without a senior pastor.

The building can be cleaned and repaired, Holster maintains: the church still stands.

"We're going to continue doing what the Lord has called us to do and that is to reach our community," Holster said. "That's not going to stop."

The Levelland Fire Department received a call about the fire at the church on Sherman Street and Cherry Street, at 6:50 p.m. Friday, said Bobby Bell, a firefighter with the department.

Crews worked between 45 minutes and an hour and a half extinguishing the blaze, remaining on the scene until about 11:30 p.m., Bell added.

Preliminary findings indicate a heater on the roof as the fire's source. Flames spread through the ceiling, causing fire damage to two first-floor hallways.

A state fire marshal is investigating the fire to determine its precise cause and to rule out foul play. The state must investigate all church fires to ensure arson is not a cause, Bell explained.

Fire damage will necessitate replacement of ceiling tiles, electrical damage and portions of destroyed roof, Bell said.

The fire also produced thick, black smoke in the auditorium and office area. Repairing the smoke damage means replacing carpet and repainting the area.

Smoke damage in the sanctuary prompted the congregation to hold worship services in a local high school theater this past Sunday, Holster said. They will likely do the same for the upcoming Sunday, he added.

Pending cleanup, the church gymnasium may be soon available for worship, allowing the congregation to return to the site the church has called home since 1978.

Holster said Second Baptist church has an insurance policy, but he has yet to meet with an adjuster. The dollar damage of Friday's fire is unknown.

He expresses deep gratitude for the fire department and law enforcement officials who worked to save the church building, and the local pastors who prayed for the congregation as the blaze threatened to consume the building.

Even as he deals with the details of repair, Holster said he tries not to dwell on the church's material loss.

"'What did we do for the Lord?' is more important than, 'What did we do a for a building?'" he said. "I do know that we do not need to dwell on 'stuff,' because the stuff that we have can be destroyed by fire at any moment, But when we put our faith and our trust in God, those things are going to last forever."

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