Fire tears through Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longwood

Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longwood experienced a devastating fire during the night of July 22 - July 23. The church shared in a Facebook post that the fire occurred at some point during the night hours and the main building was considered a total loss.

Owen-Withee-Curtiss Fire District crews arrived on-scene at around 5:30 a.m. Central Fire and EMS District firefighters provided mutual aid later.

The post shared by the church stated that there was no identified cause of the fire at this time and the parish hall was untouched upon initial inspection. The post also said there was no power to the parish hall and an inspection would need to be done before it is used.

Pastor Elizabeth Bier and some local congregation members watched on as firefighters battled the blaze. The church asked in the post for prayers as the church looks to the future.

“Please pray for the people of Emmanuel as we grieve memories of an important place and ask God’s guidance for the future,” the post said.

“We give thanks for the firefighters from the surrounding areas who helped put out the fire and give thanks for all of your prayers and condolences,” the post also said.

The church also asked via Facebook that people refrain from going into the parish hall or attempt to enter the remains of the church building. Emmanuel’s church service has been canceled for Sunday, July 28.

Donations for recovery efforts can be dropped off at Forward Bank in Withee.

“We don’t know exactly what is before us and we appreciate the community’s support in helping with unanticipated and uncovered expenses,” a church representative said.

TOTAL LOSS - The entrance to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longwood was totally destroyed in a fire early Tuesday morning. The Owen-Withee-Curtiss Fire District was the first on-scene.

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