FORD HEIGHTS, Ill. — A large fire destroyed a south suburban church Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities said the fire broke out just before 2 p.m. at True Light Temple of Praise, located in the 1600 block of Drexel Avenue in Ford Heights.
“You know, the church has been here a long time – 58 or 59 years – we just celebrated our anniversary. To see this happen is devastating to me,” True Light Temple of Praise Pastor James Morgan said. Firefighters from several agencies have been working together to put out hotspots. “With all the cold weather challenges and water issues in this town, we went to a second alarm to get more manpower out here and more trucks,” Ford Heights Assistant Fire Chief Lawrence Ewan said.
According to authorities, a few church members were inside the building when the fire started, but no one was injured.
Those who True Light Temple of Praise their church home are now leaning on each other to get through this difficult time.
“If you’re a pastor, if you are a bishop, if you are an evangelist, pray for this church. It may be this church, but it may be yours next time, because you never known,” Stephan Walker, former musician at True Light Temple of Praise, said.
