Damage to Lakewood church could exceed $1 MillionLakewood, Colorado--Colorado's Lakewood Church of the Nazarene, one of the largest Nazarene churches in the Denver area and on the Colorado District, suffered damages that could exceed $1 Million Sunday night, March 4 when a portion of the church complex went up in flames.
No one was injured in the fire, which was reported shortly after 9 P.M. The last person left the building just a half-hour before the fire started.
According to the Rocky Mountain News, the fire started in a restroom in the church's daycare and school area, although the specific cause is still under investigation. The newspaper reported faulty electrical wiring is suspected, but other causes have not been ruled out.
"There was nothing to indicate that it was intentionally set," Cindy Matthews, a spokeswoman for West Metro Fire, told the Rocky Mountain News.
As many as 40 firefighters with 8-9 trucks battled the fire. The blaze was under control by 11 P.M. Sunday, though firefighters reportedly had trouble fighting flames in a space between two separate roofs of the building.
Lakewood senior pastor Joe McNulty was thankful no one was in the building at the time of the fire, especially considering 75 children attend the church's daycare and school.
"There's always something to be thankful for," McNulty told CBS-4 News of Denver.
A total of five buildings make up the church's campus. McNulty told NCN News firefighters did a good job protecting the main sanctuary, which did receive some smoke damage.
It took two full days of praying and waiting until McNulty was able to learn more about the extent of damage done to the church building. Although exact numbers have not been determined, the damage is now estimated to be more than $1 million.
McNulty told NCN News they have completely lost seven Sunday school class rooms, one having the capacity to hold 100 people. In addition, at least two sanctuaries are completely unusable. The one with the worst damage was the church's first and oldest sanctuary, where the daycare was located. The property where the church is located originally housed the Colorado District campground before Denver and its surrounding communities reached its perimeters. This sanctuary was the meeting place for many district camp services.
McNulty said he will learn early next week where their daycare will operate until a new building can be constructed.
Lakewood's second oldest sanctuary housed the Nazarene Hispanic congregation, who hopes to meet on Sunday afternoons in the same place as the English-speaking congregation after a location is determined.
Additionally, McNulty reported the administration buildings have smoke damage and no electricity. It is unknown when these will be usable.
Due to heavy smoke damage, church services will not be held in the regular sanctuary this Sunday, March 11. However, the gym may be ready for occupancy by the weekend. As of Wednesday, March 7, there was still no electricity in the gym. The staff is determining whether they can acquire this before Sunday morning. If the gym is not functional, McNulty hopes to use the Lakewood Recreation Center located near the church for services.
In the meantime, the church staff and congregation remain in prayer, as a prayer meeting was scheduled for Thursday afternoon outside the church.
McNulty and his congregation appreciate all the prayers and support coming from the "Nazarene family." He said he received a letter of support from Church of the Nazarene General Superintendent James H. Diehl, who is currently in South America, but attends Lakewood Nazarene when he is not traveling.
The pastor says that although this is a difficult time, he feels this could be a blessing in disguise, giving them the opportunity to construct and use more modern facilities. He continually expressed his appreciation for the Lakewood congregation, knowing they will pull through this.
"We are growing in spite of being an old church," he remarked.
In fact, CBS-4 News reported on Sunday night concerned members of the congregation immediately began gathering for prayer outside the church upon learning of the fire.
"Our people are great people … Lakewood people are just wonderful people and I just know that they'll pull together," McNulty told CBS-4 on Sunday. "I'm getting calls from other Nazarene churches and other people in the community. It's times like this that bring out the best in people."
For CBS-4's video report, including an interview with Pastor McNulty,
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