Members Of A Rock Hill Church Heavily Damaged By Fire Cling To Faith

ROCK HILL, SC — Rock Hill Fire officials say it’s going to take a few days to figure out what caused a fire at Gospel Light Baptist Church. Thursday, church members gathered near the crime scene tape with tears in their eyes.

Rock Hill Fire Chief Mike Blackman has been a member of Gospel Light Church for over 10 years. He got a call, and went straight to the scene.

“That’s where you raise your family, I believe in church. We’ve been active in church and it’s a piece of you that never goes away,” says Chief Blackman.

The blaze started around 6:15 Thursday morning. Most of the damage is to the sanctuary, where the roof caved in. The Sunday School classrooms have smoke and heat damage. The church’s window and doors are charred, and bricks crumbled. A devastating sight for Pastor Bruce Wyatt.

“It’s been heartbreaking, but we know the Lord is in control and he sovereign and we know that the church is going to go on,” says Pastor at Gospel Light Church Bruce Wyatt.

After the flames were out, fire fighters worked to pump out feet of water from the basement. Chief Blackman and Pastor Wyatt both say they know their faith will get them through.

Chief Blackman says crews will be back at Gospel Light Baptist Church Friday morning continuing the investigation.