I live outside Texas, got a text this morning that the FBC in Temple was destroyed by fire, just curious if there were any details.
Prayers to the FBC family.
Thanks in advance for the info.

My mom just emailed me the news. Absolutely horrible.

My grandparents were life-long Temple residents and very active in the church, so FBC was my second home church. I went to vacation bible school there, summer camp, played volleyball with the seniors, basketball with the teens - basically lived there summers growing up. My mom was married there in 1967 and my brother in 1990. Brother Ed Stewart resided over my grandparents' funerals, as well as countless other relatives. My mom moved back to Temple in 1993 and has been back with the church since. I can't believe it is gone.

I can only imagine how this is affecting those that are full-time members.

i smelled it from half a mile away. i know lots of good folk there.

Hope the church finds a great place to land on their feet in the mean while.

My daughter goes to daycare at FBC. We heard about the fire this morning before we tried to take her in. Now, I have a helper at work today and am getting nothing done!

I hope it isn't too bad.

I grew up in that church and my parents and grandparents are active members.

This hurts.

It was my Dad's church. I have a Christmas ornament that is a replica of the building. It makes my heart sad.

quote:

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Latest Update: 2:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Temple Church Fire

At approximately 5:00 AM a fire started at our church.

The fire was contained within the sanctuary and Building A, which contains the church staff offices, music rooms and some Bible Fellowship classrooms, and they were destroyed. In addition, there is smoke and some water damage throughout the church, including the Child Development Center and adjoining buildings.

The Child Development Center will be closed for at least the rest of this week. Please check back here for the latest decisions on the reopening.

The Temple Fire Department is assessing the damage and as of this update, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

There will be a church prayer meeting at the Youth Center, The Edge, tonight, Tuesday, at 7:00 PM.

We ask for everyone to pray for our church congregation in the days ahead. We also encourage members to contact those who may not have internet access with any news posted here.

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http://www.fbc-temple.org/

This is horrible. I hate when any old church is destroyed because of all the life foundations begun within its walls.

Prayers for this congregation.

I drove by there this morning, so sad to see the destruction.

However, I immediately thought of people worldwide whose churches and synagogues are burned or bombed just because they are places of worship and thankfully Temple is pretty removed from those fears, still very sad.

I was shocked when I heard this news... my Mom used to work in the church office and I went to daycare and Pre-K there. My thoughts and prayers go to all the church members/staff/etc.

TDT reporting arson http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2010/01/29/63834/

I went up to Temple this weekend and went to church with my parents (FBC members) on Sunday.

The local churches have been nothing short of amazing. First United Methodist has offered up their newly built Family Life center for one service on Sundays. Christ Episcopal has given them meeting space whenever FBC needs it. Last Sunday, church was held in the Mayborn Center. Bethel Assembly took an offering and paid for the rental IN FULL. This is just the help that I know about specifically but my father told me that every church is helping out.

I was able to see the church after the 11am service. I really could not believe it. The roof of the sanctuary was now the floor. A large part of the east wall was knocked down so you could see inside. I couldn't help but think of all the great memories made in that building. My sister and I were both baptized there, as were many of my friends. My sister was married there. I went from crawling under the pews and scaring old ladies to sitting and listening to the sermons.

Although it hurts, I am looking forward to seeing what's in store for the future of the church.

bored, I feel the same(less than you to your church obviously) sadness at the loss of any church. Historically churches were the foundation of settlements, growing to villages and towns. Everything of any importance took place in the churches.

That said, the memories weren't destroyed,only the building...the community spirit is an example of how God will use this tragedy.