A 140-year old church in Forestville suffered major damage during a fire Monday.
The Church of Christ, built in 1879, is considered one of the most historic in the state.
Only about a third of the small church’s white clapboard siding and its classic bell tower remain, yet they’re still tinged black from the flames. The windows were blown out from the intense heat. A pile of charred Bibles sat out front of the church.
Inside the sanctuary, it’s ceiling, walls, and pews are a pile of smoldering rubble.
Nicholas says the church hasn’t missed a service since 1879.
Forestville Fire Chief Dave Franceschi said when crews arrived and found the fire was “well-involved,” or about half of the church was already ablaze.
“There was heavy smoke and heat throughout the church,” he said.
The Forestville Church of Christ is considered the oldest active Church of Christ sanctuary west of the Mississippi River.
The church celebrated its 140th anniversary about a month ago.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.