OWENSBORO, KY (3/19/2013) – In the aftermath of an early Monday morning fire that destroyed First Christian Church, church members and spectators came out today to view the extent of the destruction. SurfKY was on scene with the members and spoke with them about their thoughts on the fire.

Eighteen year old Emily McGlothlin has attended First Christian church for twelve years.

“I grew up and attended youth group in this church. I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior in this church. I don’t know what we are going to do,” McGlothlin said.

Emily’s mother, Kathy McGlothlin, said many in the church shared her and her daughter’s grief.

“We are devastated, but there are people in the church in their 70’s and 80’s who have been here through all the upgrades and renovations. They are hurting much more than we are,” she said.

An elderly church member told SurfKY she was married in the church in 1991. She came out this morning to collect a pink brick – a memento from her years in the church.

When asked what the church was going to do now, many members said they are optimistic. A meeting Monday night to decide what is to be done presented several options.

Kathy McGlothlin also said that, throughout the fire, the church steeple stood strongly, which strengthened her faith.

“The fact that the cross and the steeple remained standing throughout the whole day yesterday just lets me know that God is still with us,” she said.

The fire is believed to have been caused by Sunday nights massive thunder storm system that moved through the tri-state, however, that has not yet been confirmed. Steve Mitchell, Fire Chief for Owensboro Fire Department, told SurfKY news: “We are currently working with the insurance company on getting the results of a lightning strike analysis that will tell us for sure if it was lightening that caused this fire. It may take a couple of days for those results, however.”

Alex Reid
SurfKY News
Photos by Alex Reid

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