East Nashville church burns down two weeks before Christmas
The Scott Avenue Church of Christ was destroyed in a Thursday morning fire.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Scott Avenue Church of Christ in East Nashville burned down Thursday morning, leaving a congregation without a home just two weeks before Christmas.
The church, which has served the Inglewood community for over 60 years, was nearly destroyed in a fire that required hours of firefighting efforts from Nashville Fire Department crews.
Danielle Cosby, who has lived in Inglewood for three years, witnessed the blaze from her home across the street.
“I didn’t think anything of it too much. I figured, all right, the fire truck’s here, they’re going to get it contained, and went back to bed and about two hours later, woke up to a whole scene and the church pretty much gone,” Cosby said.
Investigation underway
The ATF is now assisting Nashville Fire investigators in the case. Investigators say it’s too early to pinpoint a cause, but say everything is on the table.
Throughout the day, congregation members visited the site to process the devastation. The building is considered a total loss.
Congregation plans to rebuild
Deacon Ed Gentry, who has served at the church since 2005, said the congregation will rebuild. He emphasized that the church is more than just a building.
“It is the people. Absolutely. It’s in your heart,” Gentry said.
The congregation has already found a temporary location to hold services during the rebuilding process.
“Somebody’s going to greet you. Somebody’s going to hug you. Somebody’s going to shake your hand,” Gentry said, describing what has kept him at the church for nearly two decades.
Despite the loss, Gentry maintained his faith.
“It’s a blessing every day we get up, you know? And you should give the Lord some time,” he said. “Everything is done is the will of God, you know? And we just have to go with the flow. He has all the answers.”
Cosby described the church as a community fixture.
“It’s definitely a community staple, it feels like, from what I can see here, being across the street,” she said.
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