Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church

Fire consumes Chattanooga church

August 24, 2009

Betty Case looked up in the sky with eyes wide open as fire consumed St. Elmo United Methodist Church, her family's place of worship since the late 1800s.

"My great-grandfather was the first pastor in this church," said the 77-year-old St. Elmo resident with teary eyes. "All of our family was raised here."

About 6:30 p.m., Hamilton County's 911 service received several calls from the St. Elmo area reporting smoke coming out of the church, said Capt. Andre Hicks, acting spokesman for the Chattanooga Fire Department.

See complete story in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

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