Covenant News

Sanctuary Suffers $100,000 Smoke Damage

OAKLAND, CA (January 21, 2000) - Worship services are expected to resume in early February in the First Covenant Church sanctuary, following a fire Christmas Day that caused an estimated $100,000 in damage.

Structural damage was minimal, with smoke creating the larger challenge. An Advent candle wreath that caught fire following the Christmas morning service is cited as the cause. The exterior cabinet housing the church organ was damaged, with smoke coating the surfaces of the sanctuary in general, requiring a thorough cleaning. A church spokesperson said the sanctuary has been washed and will require repainting before services can resume.

A volunteer worker reportedly left the church following the Christmas morning service, ate breakfast and decided to return to the church to help prepare the sanctuary for the Sunday morning worship service. The volunteer found the Advent wreath on fire and the sanctuary filled with smoke. Firefighters were summoned and quickly extinguished the fire.

The chancel area fortunately was made of tile, observed David Leestma, minister of worship and music and executive pastor. While the pedestal supporting the wreath was charred, the fire didn't spread.

Services are temporarily being conducted in a multipurpose room. Both the piano and organ were damaged and will be cleaned offsite. "Everything needs to be professionally cleaned and painted," Leestma said. "Insurance is covering much of this, but the total cost hasn't been finalized," Leestma added. "The fire has given us an opportunity to update parts of the sanctuary and to bring to current fire code a state-of-the-art smoke detector system, which will cost extra money," he said. "But the bottom line is, we're thankful we still have a sanctuary."

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