NEW YORK — A New York church built in the 19th century that housed the city’s Liberty Bell was ravaged by a fire early Saturday morning.
Officials said the fire started at a vacant five-story building and quickly spread, engulfing and gutting the Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village as flames popped through the roof and completely destroyed the Gothic structure, WABC reported.
FDNY Assistant Chief John Hodgens provides an update from the scene of this morning’s 6-alarm fire at 48 East 7th Street in Manhattan. Read more: https://t.co/Pd7XgtfwlD. Photos shown here were taken earlier in the operation. (Photo Credit: FDNY Response Videos) pic.twitter.com/M5smab1nmi
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 5, 2020
“We are devastated. We are gutted like our building is gutted; our hearts are crushed like our doors are crushed,” Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis said. “But we know how to be the church, and we know that God is God, yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
We are devastated and crushed that our beloved physical sanctuary at Middle Collegiate Church has burned.
— Rev. Jacqui Lewis, PhD (@RevJacquiLewis) December 5, 2020
And yet no fire can stop Revolutionary Love. pic.twitter.com/R8D3NVjAiY
The building where the fire started had been vacant since February because of an accidental blaze earlier in the year. A third building was also damaged by the fire. All of its occupants were able to evacuate safely. Four firefighters suffered minor injuries. Fire marshals said faulty electrical wiring caused the blaze.
The church was built in 1892, its third location in Manhattan since 1729. The church is the oldest congregation of the Collegiate Churches of New York, which dates to the 1620s when Dutch settlers came to the island.
>> Photos: Early morning fire destroys church housing New York’s Liberty Bell
The church’s bell tower housed New York’s Liberty Bell, which rang in the birth of the nation in 1776 and has since marked the inaugurations and deaths of American presidents. It has also tolled in remembrance of those killed in the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Lewis believes the bell survived the fire, but is not sure. The church’s Tiffany stained glass windows were destroyed.
On scene at devastating fire at Middle Collegiate Church, which is completely gutted.
— Senator Brad Hoylman (@bradhoylman) December 5, 2020
Can’t help but think of comparisons to Notre Dame fire.
Tiffany stained glass windows destroyed.
Commanding officer told me structure may not stand.
Investigators on scene. pic.twitter.com/8uyC7YPU52
It is unclear what church leaders will do about the building, but the 1,300 congregants will continue to worship.
“Our church has been worshipping digitally since March 15,” Lewis said. “And that’s what we’ll be doing tomorrow.”
Thanks to everyone for your support. It means so very much in our overwhelming grief.
— Middle Church (@middlechurch) December 5, 2020
The Church is not a building, but buildings matter. This is home.
We’ll have more to say in the days to come, but here’s the link for anyone looking to donate.https://t.co/Rtb3odKP9d
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
