Jan. 6, 1999
by Alice Smith*
Contact: Thomas S. McAnally· (615)742-5470· Nashville, Tenn.
Tragedy was compounded New Year's Eve when arson destroyed historic New Salem United Methodist Church in Commerce, Ga., and killed a volunteer firefighter.
"The church building was totally lost, but our primary concern is for the fireman and his family," said North Georgia Bishop G. Lindsey Davis. "We can replace buildings, but we really grieve for the family."
Three hours after the New Salem fire, Johnson United Methodist Church near Watkinsville, Ga., suffered smoke damage from another fire. Both were ruled arson by state Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine.
The two United Methodist churches were part of a string of five church burnings over the holidays, two in Murray County Dec. 22-23 and another in Walton County Dec. 25. The cause of one fire is undetermined, but three have been ruled arson and one suspicious. All are predominantly white congregations located in rural areas.
The death of volunteer firefighter Kennan Loy Williams, 27, has also made the New Salem blaze a case of felony murder, Oxendine said.
While grieving the loss of their 138-year-old landmark church, New Salem Pastor Luis Ortiz, and church members responded quickly and compassionately to the Williams family. Ortiz spent "half the night" with Williams' wife, 9-year-old daughter and other family members on New Year's Eve and then went back to see them at the funeral home.
"They're all church-going people, and were very glad I was there to spend time with them and pray with them," Ortiz said. United Methodist Women delivered food to the family, and a love offering was taken at the Jan. 3 service and presented to a family member who was present. The Gainesville District and North Georgia Annual (regional) Conference are also making gifts to the Williams.
Ortiz described the fireman's death as a selfless, Jesus-like act. "He didn't have to be there, but he wanted to help save the church. ... Other men his age were out drinking and partying ... but he gave his life trying to save a place of worship because he knew the meaning of it himself."
Loy Williams, brother Alvin Williams Jr., and their wives had been out to eat and were headed home when they heard the call about the New Salem fire. Although the Williams brothers are members of the Franklin County volunteer fire-fighting unit, they quickly responded to the fire out of their jurisdiction.
Loy Williams, a brick mason by trade, was killed when the roof collapsed on him. Four other firefighters were treated for burns.
Ortiz described the pre-Civil War New Salem Church as a beautiful, well-kept white frame structure, which can never be replaced historically. The altar and other furnishings inside had been handmade by family members of previous generations.
"There are a lot of memories they'll never replace, even with a new church," Ortiz said.
But the congregation is determined to rebuild. The 98-member church had an attendance of 141 on Jan. 3 as the congregation worshipped in the still-standing fellowship hall. The members hope to place three trailers on the property to serve as classrooms.
Although the church was insured for $87,000, Ortiz predicted it will take $500,000 to construct a new building. The Gainesville District has already committed $5,000, said the Rev. Parks Davis, superintendent, and other contributions are coming in.
While Johnson United Methodist Church suffered "slight" damages in comparison to New Salem, "it's a big blow to them," said the Rev. Carolyn Morris, superintendent of the Athens-Elberton District. "The people had with their own hands renovated the fellowship hall and kitchen several years ago."
Damage was limited to the lower-level fellowship hall and kitchen behind the sanctuary. "There did not appear to be any structural damage but extensive heat and smoke damage," Morris said.
The rural church was saved when a passer-by noticed the fire behind the church and called for help. "Some kind of fire starter or fire bomb was thrown through one of the back windows in the fellowship hall," said the Rev. Robert N. Murphy, pastor of the Johnson church.
"Apparently this device was an efficient one," he said, "and if the volunteer firemen had been five to 10 minutes later, we would have lost the church."
Like the New Salem congregation, he expressed appreciation to the firefighters who responded so quickly. "Our folks are grateful it was not worse than it was."
The building was adequately insured, and he believes the congregation will be able to get the church cleaned up and back in order "pretty rapidly." Until then, services are being held in a church member's lakeside "cabin," which has a gathering room big enough for 65 to 70 people. The church has 132 members.
In view of the recent rash of church burnings, Oxendine said he is contacting churches throughout Georgia and asking them to improve their security. No arrests have been made in the arson cases, but a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the fires.
*Smith is executive director of the Georgia United Methodist Communications Council.
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New York, and Washington.
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