Fire destroys Warrior Creek Baptist Church buildings

Fire destroys Warrior Creek Baptist Church buildings

By Grace Thornton
The Alabama Baptist

A massive fire Aug. 21 destroyed all the buildings of Warrior Creek Baptist Church, Holly Pond, after church members and firefighters did their best to control it.

James Carson said he could see the glow coming through the pine trees that separate his yard from the church property.

“We jumped in the car and ran over there, and we had fire extinguishers to do what we could, but it was already too late,” he said.

The church burned to the ground sometime around 8:30 p.m.

“It’s a shocker,” said Carson, who along with his wife, Dot, has been an active church member for 22 years. “It’s sad, and we’re all torn up about it. But I imagine it’s a test.”

The Blount Baptist Association church — founded in 1857 — had recently added six new classrooms in a connector building between the sanctuary and fellowship hall.

“We’ve been growing a lot and needed more space, and we had just signed off on it two weeks ago,” Carson said.

The church hasn’t decided yet where it will meet temporarily, but two area churches have offered the use of their space, Carson said.

He said they don’t know for sure but based on where the fire appears to have started, he believes wiring could be at fault. Local officials are working to determine a cause.

Pastor Darryl Ross said it’s a mess, but he knows God will take care of them.

“The Lord’s got a plan, we’ve just got to get through it,” he said. “With His help, we will be back, and we will overcome.” (Photo by Christy Perry/The Cullman Tribune)