Fire originating in the vicinity of the large furnace used to heat the big tabernacle, damaged the Marion Presbyterian Church Sunday night and will prevent usage of their building for some time to come.
While the outside walls are standing, the inside is badly damaged and a portion of the roof is yet standing, the inside is badly damaged by fire, smoke and water and it was estimated that the damage would probably exceed $7,000 with approximately $5,000 insurance on the building and part of the contents.
The church has been using the former gymnasium building as a tabernacle since the demolition of their former church building, pending clearance of church indebtedness and contemplated the erection of a new building as soon as funds would permit. The building was heated by an immense furnace in the southwest corner of the building and a large stove in the northwest corner. At the time Rev. H. O. Stevens left the building Sunday night after evening Endeavor and church services, the fire in the stove was out and the furnace fire, while still burning was sufficiently burned out that it seemed safe.
About eleven o’clock neighbors were aroused with the sound of burning wood and looking out saw the flames burst out the rear corner near the furnace and falling sparks set fire to grass in the vicinity of the building. The Marion fire department was called and the Johnston City department was also notified.
The Marion with Ray Robinson acting as chief made a quick run and despite the near zero weather soon had a stream of water on the blaze and made quick work extinguishing the blaze. The Johnston City department arrived after the fire was out and had the ill luck of freezing on their way down. At the time the call was made to the Johnston City department it looked as though not only that the entire tabernacle would be destroyed, but that adjacent property would also be in danger.
The cold night made fire fighting much more difficult than normal and the church officers were loud in their praise of the work done by the Marion department and the loyalty of the Johnston City department in coming to their aid. The flames inside the building were so intense at one time that the walls and fixtures at the east end of the building are charred and damaged, although the majority of the fire was at the opposite end.
Two pianos were lost in the fire and orchestra music was also destroyed as well as church song books. Mrs. H.O. Stevens, wife of the pastor attempted to rescue the orchestra music but was virtually overcome by the smoke but was alright Monday.
Church pews were partially destroyed and the fine hardwood floor built for basketball purposes was damaged seriously by the water thrown on the blaze.
(Extracted from local newspapers and compiled by Harry Boyd, posted at http://www.marionfire.us/ )