Middle Collegiate Church is now in ruins
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It is one of the most famous churches in New York, the roots of its congregation go back to the early 17th century. Early on Saturday morning (local time) a huge fire largely destroyed the Middle Collegiate Church in New York’s East Village. The church is now a ruin, as can be seen in the video. It is unclear whether the historic Liberty Bell was also a victim of the flames.
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New York: Fire broke out in neighboring buildings
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Recordings from TV station ABC showed how flames completely enveloped the roof of the 128-year-old Middle Collegiate Church. You could also see the entire nave glowing. According to the New York Fire Department, the fire broke out around five o’clock on the first floor of an empty building in the neighborhood and then spread to the church.
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Church altar badly damaged
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“We are deeply dismayed that our beloved shrine has burned to the ground,” Rev. Jacqui Lewis wrote on the Church website. “We know that God does not cause such tragedy, but that He is with us now in our grief.” What will become of the ruin is unclear. According to Lewis, the Protestant community has been celebrating its services online since March because of the coronavirus epidemic.
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“Unfortunately, it looks very bad,” said Rev. Amanda Ashcraft the ABC broadcaster. “The altar is badly damaged, our painted Tiffany windows are lost.” Almost 200 firefighters were on duty. It took them more than three hours to get the flames under control. Four helpers suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire was initially unknown.
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Liberty bell struck for every US president
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The Middle Collegiate Church has around 1,300 members. The roots of the community go back to the early 17th century. It is one of the oldest in America. In its tower hangs the New York Liberty Bell, which, according to the Church, rang on the birth of the nation in 1776. In addition, the bell rang for the inauguration and death of every US president. It is currently unclear whether she survived the fire.
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