NEWS: Jeffersontown Baptist Church fire, Jefferson Co., KY ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net Submitted by: Pat45324@aol.com Date: 26 Mar 2001 ********************************************************************** Fire destroyed the Jeffersontown Baptist Church early Sunday morning, resulting in a loss estimated at $25,000, $10,000 of which was covered by insurance. The blaze, discovered at 4 a.m., had gained such headway that volunteer company in Jeffersontown and a unit of the Louisville Fire Department could only prevent the destruction of adjacent buildings, although the building had brick walls. FIRE KEPT AT NIGHT The Rev. L.T. Wright, pastor, explained that it was the practice to keep fire in the furnace Saturday night so the building would be properly heated for the Sunday services. He recalled throwing a block of coal on the fire at 9:45 p.m. Saturday because the fire had burned low. It was surmised that the blaze resulted from the overheated furnace. James Edwards, who lives opposite the church, spread the alarm by firing a shotgun into the air. It was then too late to save any of the equipment and furnishings. The loss included two pianos, two pipe organs, a communion set, church library, records and the usual church furnishings. INSURANCE CARRIED Mr. Wright explained that the insurance was carired to cover the remaining indebtedness of the church built in 1926. He estimated the remaining indebtedness at $7,000. He said the congregation probably will rebuild on the same site. Meanwhile, arrangements were made to hold services in one of the other churches in the town. Sunday services were held at Meyer's Funeral Home.