Months after an unknown arsonist destroyed a Stark County church, the congregation is still dealing with emotional pain and a financial burden.
Members of the church are now organizing a rummage sale to pay for the eventual cost of an expensive cleanup left behind by the massive fire.
Pastor Rodney McCourt said he has been feeling pressure from Pike Township officials to remove the charred remains of Well of Hope Ministries Church on Dueber Avenue SW, but he stressed the church doesn't have the money.
"We got a quote for $8,000 to $10,000 we don't have. We have $1,000 in the bank total. Our gross for the year is maybe five grand," McCourt said.
The church, which was built in the 1800s, also housed a food pantry that helped 40 to 100 families.
McCourt was on the road when he got several phone calls and text messages alerting him to the January fire.
"It went really fast and really hot," he said. "I cried for two days straight."
Investigators believe the same arsonist could be responsible for six other nearby fires in between 2016 and 2018. The other fires damaged vacant houses, a tavern, a barn, a storage building and a shed.
"I pray God gets a hold of him the way he did me. He shows them the same love he did me," McCourt said.
The mess caused by the fire has been sitting for months, but the Stark County Health Department has not issued any nuisance enforcement action.
Paul DePasquale, the director of environmental health, said the pastors have been cooperating and asking for advice from health officials.
Prior to the fire, Pastor McCourt said he was in the process of making improvements to the church so an insurance policy could be renewed, but the building was not insured at the time it was torched.
"We were doing that stuff, but they gave us such a short time that we just could not get everything done."
The rummage sale, which will include tools, clothing and household items, is scheduled for May 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 26 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Foursquare New Beginnings Church located at 3990 Faircrest Street SW in Canton.
New Beginnings has also opened its doors to Well of Hope Ministries so the congregation can hold services.
"We're not necessarily seeking a handout," church member Amanda McCourt said. "We definitely want to do our part, so we thought if we could do some fundraising and stuff, we could raise some of the money."
The State Fire Marshal's Office reports that the arson cases in the area remain open and unsolved.
Pastor McCourt said he's preaching forgiveness, but he also has a message for the arsonist.
"I pray that they turn themselves in and make things right. Make it right and let justice just be served."
