Fire destroys church but not congregation
There was no address mentioned in the story to send prayers.
CLEVELAND -- Lawn chairs were lined up in a vacant lot, facing a pile of burned wood, bricks and twisted metal.
After the Upon This Rock - Full Gospel Baptist Church burned down on Cleveland's eastside Friday, Pastor Alex Reese wasn't sure where he was going to hold Sunday services. Reese relied on his faith for the answer to that dilemma.
"I'm going to stand on the land where the Lord sent me to stay," said Reese, who held a church service directly across the street from his former church.
"That's one of the reasons I'm here (Sunday)," Reese said, "to confirm to myself and remind myself that I don't need a building in order to serve who I am serving."
More than 20 people came to the open air service.
"I came to praise God," church member Frances Irbing said. "I'm not going to give up."
Church member Brenda Anderson said her faith has been changed by the fire.
"It's strengthened it, oh yeah." Anderson said. " 'Cause I know God has somthing better planned."
Fire ripped through the church on East 79th and Pulaski Friday. Six people in the church and adjoining apartments escaped without injury.
Reese said that he was told that the cause of the fire is undetermined.
The church has a small congregation of 85 people. But Reese is talking about rebuilding. Reese said he was called to this neighborhood to make a difference.
"This place was drug infested when I came here," Reese said. "They was selling drugs right off the church steps. But after one year of being here, all of that (stopped).
"There have been some changes made here, oh yes," Reese said. "A lot more changes need to be done."
Yours truly,
Anthony Smith
CLEVELAND -- Lawn chairs were lined up in a vacant lot, facing a pile of burned wood, bricks and twisted metal.
After the Upon This Rock - Full Gospel Baptist Church burned down on Cleveland's eastside Friday, Pastor Alex Reese wasn't sure where he was going to hold Sunday services. Reese relied on his faith for the answer to that dilemma.
"I'm going to stand on the land where the Lord sent me to stay," said Reese, who held a church service directly across the street from his former church.
"That's one of the reasons I'm here (Sunday)," Reese said, "to confirm to myself and remind myself that I don't need a building in order to serve who I am serving."
More than 20 people came to the open air service.
"I came to praise God," church member Frances Irbing said. "I'm not going to give up."
Church member Brenda Anderson said her faith has been changed by the fire.
"It's strengthened it, oh yeah." Anderson said. " 'Cause I know God has somthing better planned."
Fire ripped through the church on East 79th and Pulaski Friday. Six people in the church and adjoining apartments escaped without injury.
Reese said that he was told that the cause of the fire is undetermined.
The church has a small congregation of 85 people. But Reese is talking about rebuilding. Reese said he was called to this neighborhood to make a difference.
"This place was drug infested when I came here," Reese said. "They was selling drugs right off the church steps. But after one year of being here, all of that (stopped).
"There have been some changes made here, oh yes," Reese said. "A lot more changes need to be done."
Yours truly,
Anthony Smith
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Minister Robbin Swinger Otey on
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http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/...
The building was located on E. 79th Street between St. Clair & Superior Avenues, although I don't know why we need an an address to send prayers?
To send monetary donations you can contact one of the reporters of the story at
mpuente@plaind.com or (216) 999-4141 to get a mailing address.
peace & love,Sis. Yuriela Bey
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