VIDEO: Roger Hawkins watched helplessly Thursday afternoon as flames tore through the Mount Holly church he grew up in.
The First Baptist Church at 300 S. Main St. caught fire shortly after 3 p.m., according to 911 communications. Members of the church’s congregation and the community watched in disbelief, and some huddled in prayer as flames shot through the roof of the nearly 100-year-old church. Hawkins says he and his three sons were all baptized there, he and his wife were married there and so were his son and daughter-in-law. He choked back tears and said watching First Baptist go up in flames was something he couldn’t bear.
“I know we’re a strong church family, and we’ll pull together and we’ll get through it,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll be praying nonstop for a while.”
According to Mount Holly Fire Chief Ryan Baker, the blaze was reported by a resident who said there was smoke coming from the church.