A North Texas church was destroyed by fire except for cross left standing in debris
A North Texas church was almost entirely destroyed by a fire. Only one thing survived the blaze — a cross — which remained standing in the middle of the totaled building in Bridgeport.
“A devastating loss to our community, but a sight to behold. The fire took the structure, but not the cross,” the Wise County Emergency Services Department No. 2 / Boonsville-Balsora Volunteer Fire Department posted on Facebook. “A symbol that the building was just that, a building. The Church is the congregation, and where 2 or more gather, there He shall be also.”
The blaze broke out Friday at the Balsora Baptist Church, at 108 County Road 3623.
The Wise County Emergency Services Department said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but that churches “pose an inherent danger related to the great span of the sanctuaries and great halls, which makes them very prone to collapse.”
The roof began to collapse while firefighters were inside the church. Multiple firefighters were treated by first responders on the scene.
Firefighters from the Bridgeport, Lake Bridgeport Volunteer, Paradise Volunteer, Runaway Bay Volunteer and Decatur fire departments helped fight the flames. Others from Parker County Emergency Services District 1, Wise County EMS, Wise County Fire Marshal’s Office, Wise County Office of Emergency Management, Wise County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety also responded to the scene.
Balsora Baptist Church still had its Sunday services just two days after the devastating fire.
Church goers gathered at the 3 Crosses in the Prayer Garden.
Outside, dozens wore shorts and T-shirts, and brought lawn chairs, as big tents provided shade during the prayer service.
“The Cross that held our prayer request in the sanctuary, was still standing! We praise God that He still answers prayers. We look forward to all He’s going to do at Balsora Baptist,” a Facebook post from the church read.
A GoFundMe campaign has begun raising money to rebuild the church.
“The church does have insurance, but it’s likely to not pay enough to rebuild the building AND resupply the church (Bibles, hymnals, choir robes, office equipment, etc),” the fundraiser read. “We know that the Lord will provide what we need, but if you feel led to donate towards this cause, this is a great place to do so.”
The GoFundMe has raised $145 of its $100,000 goal as of Tuesday morning.
