Marshals: Fire at 1853 Brooklyn church started intentionally

A Brooklyn church destroyed by a June fire was temporarily spared from complete demolition after lobbying efforts by the pastor and members. Nearly half of the structure was destroyed in a June fire that officials said could have been caused by arson. New York fire marshals reported Tuesday that an investigation was ongoing. The marshals said they had determined so far that the cause of the fire was incendiary. That term, incendiary, stops short of arson but describes a fire intentionally started where it should not have been.

In a statement to WORLD, the church acknowledged that the fire was being investigated for possible arson. The news has brought a renewed sense of grief and disbelief to their congregation, who have faithfully served the community for generations, the church added. It asked that the public not engage in speculation but allow the officers to do their work.

Local historians cited the 19th century South Bushwick Reformed Church as one of the oldest churches in Brooklyn. Bushwick citizens called the prospect of losing the church and landmark crushing and heartbreaking.

Demolition was scheduled for Tuesday after the city building department rejected two of the church’s appeals to stop. However, an approval came through on the church’s final petition Tuesday night, granting the church a hold on demolition. The Bushwick Historical Preservation Association called the pause an incredible reversal of fortune. The association had been helping the church fight the building department for over three weeks.

Much of the original 1853 church building has already been demolished by a crew, but the 1881 Fellowship Hall is still standing. The church became a landmark in 1968. Its members have feared that total demolition will strip that status. Parishioners began raising funds in an effort to help cover the demolition costs if the building loses its landmark status.

How long will construction be paused? The hold will last through Saturday, giving the church some time to assemble proof of the historic building’s stability and salvageability.

The church told WORLD that the events of recent weeks tested its congregation in ways they never imagined, yet they remained steadfast in their faith and committed to hope over despair. The church remained committed to working collaboratively with all involved authorities as they sought to protect public safety while honoring the sacred history of the landmark church. It asked for continued prayers for its congregation, neighborhood, and the investigators.