Flames that consumed a church in rural Coal City were likely sparked by a lightning strike, investigators said Tuesday.

The Coal City Community Bible Church stood at the corner of Fifth Street and State Road 157 for more than three decades, welcoming an average of 45 attendees to weekly Sunday worship services in recent years.

Church pastor Matthew Wall was on scene with a representative of the state fire marshal’s office, surveying what remained of the building’s interior Tuesday morning. He noted how locals had reported hearing a “loud booming sound” before the fire broke out. 

The first fire call came in to first responders around 6:19 a.m., with the initial wave of firefighters arriving on scene a short time later. Wall said he was grateful for the quick response as he stood in the entryway of the church, studying the charred rafters and burnt insulation, broken window glass, and other debris that littered the interior of the church.

Miraculously, many of the church pews were still standing, with some containing undamaged Bibles visible in Bible racks.

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The building itself was deemed unsafe following the fire and initial plans called for a portion of the structure, which had begun to visibly bow on the north side, to be demolished to ensure public safety.

The Coal City Community Volunteer Fire Department received mutual aid from fire personnel from Patricksburg, Clay City, Worthington, Franklin Township, Owen Valley, Bloomfield, and Wright Township in Linton, along with the authorities from the Owen County Sheriff’s Department.

“We are thankful that we serve a big God who can use this situation for His glory,” pastor Wall later noted in a message posted on the church’s Facebook page. “Stay tuned as we regroup and rebuild.”

Heavy storms were reported county-wide on Tuesday, with the ensuing flood waters and road closures prompting Owen County Emergency Management to issue a “Yellow” travel status advisory.  

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