2-alarm fire partly collapses State College area church. That’s not stopping Sunday’s service

A two-alarm fire early Saturday morning reduced a local church’s sanctuary to cinder and closed the entire building due to significant water, fire and smoke damage. But congregants and the church’s pastor say that’s no excuse to cancel Sunday’s usual worship service.

They’ll simply meet in the parking lot at 10 a.m.

Crews from at least four fire departments responded shortly after midnight to a well-involved fire on the roof at Woodycrest United Methodist Church (219 W. Clearview Ave.) in Patton Township. According to public emergency services information, the fire was brought under control within 45 minutes — although part of the building was completely destroyed.

Still, with yellow barricade tape wrapped around the church later Saturday morning, Pastor Renee Ford said that would not significantly alter plans for Sunday’s service.

“We always say the church is not a building; the church is the people,” Ford said. “We know, even though there’s grief and there’s loss, the church will continue to go on.”

No one was in the building at the time of the fire, but an unnamed Alpha firefighter was transported to the hospital with a “hand injury” that was later characterized as minor. Shawn Kauffman, regional fire protection director, told the CDT on Saturday afternoon the firefighter was “treated and released from Penn Highlands for a hand laceration.”

The cause of the State College area fire remains under investigation.

About a dozen people gathered in the parking lot Saturday for the church that was built in 1936 and boasts about 50 current members. Doughnuts and coffee were there, as some congregants surveyed the damage and discussed the community’s response.

“We appreciate everyone’s prayers and support,” church member Debra Romig said, adding the weather forecast for Sunday’s service (sunny; high 70s) looked positive.

On Saturday morning, the fire marshal directed congregants where they could — and couldn’t — go inside the damaged building, to retrieve some items. Less than 12 hours after the fire started, Woodycrest’s pastor acknowledged a lot of unknowns remained at this early point but she was still thankful for the community.

“The outpouring of love and caring and concern has touched our hearts,” Ford said. “We’re grateful to be part of such an awesome community.”

This story was originally published September 14, 2024 at 1:40 PM.