A four-alarm fire consumed the Shiloh Baptist Church and the historic house of worship in Elizabeth, founded in November 1879, was reduced to rubble Sunday.
The early morning fire ripped through the church, forcing cancellation of services, but no injuries were reported.
Pastor William Ingram was visibly shaken at the scene, as he told reporters: “We were anticipating waking up this morning coming to church to worship… and you wake up to this. [But] that’s the nature of life, and you know, that’s why we have faith.”
“I don’t have any idea [what happened]. It was fine yesterday evening, so, I don’t know what happened,” he said. “This was a shock, when I got the call this morning.”
Ingram, who’s been with the church for 24 years, said the church was a staple in the community, offering outreach programs for the homeless including a soup kitchen and clothing ministry.
Ingram says he hopes to rebuild.