'I'm heartbroken': Locals lament loss of Montclair church heavily damaged by fire
Montclair residents are mourning the loss of a nearly century-old church to a massive fire, which destroyed a place that had hosted countless weddings, baptisms and community gatherings.
Firefighters battled Tuesday's blaze at Grace Presbyterian Church, but its infrastructure sustained heavy damage. The roof collapsed shortly after fire was seen brimming through the top, and the sanctuary was reportedly devastated by flames.
Residents recounted many pivotal memories of the 99-year-old landmark in the wake of the fire. Support and stories are being shared on social media by congregation members and others familiar with the church.
"As I was driving by the remains of Grace Presbyterian Church earlier I was reminded of the extraordinary memorial service you held for your Mom there so many years ago. That day was truly a beautiful moment of love + loss," Barbara Lemley wrote on Facebook in reference to a local's funeral.
"Praying for our Grace Pres family! Paul and I met and [were] married at Grace Pres 40 [years] ago," Bette Cardell wrote on Facebook.
"It's gone. The beautiful church my Mom and I went to and worked at since I was in grammar school! I'm heartbroken!" Leona Zimmerman said.
"My heart is in a holding pattern — filled with devastation and great loss — beyond all comprehension ... the church where I learned the books of the Bible at Daily Vacation Bible School ... when I was 8 years old is gone. Prayers in abundance for the firefighters as I write this with tears behind my eyes," Grange Rutan wrote on Facebook.
"We became members of Grace Presbyterian Church in Montclair, NJ in 1985. We were married there in 1986. Bowen and Sage were baptized there in 1988. Countless Sunday mornings spent worshipping and learning ... Prayers for the congregation as they process the loss and plan ahead for the future," Karen Walsh wrote on Facebook.
Local organizations are also putting emotional and financial support toward the building's rehabilitation.
Children from the church's Sunday school program started a lemonade stand to help fund recovery efforts. Charging $2 per lemonade and $1 per cookie, the group raised $600 in one afternoon.
Businesses and others are joining in. Ani Ramen House of Montclair pledged to donate a portion of its sales directly to the church.
"Heartbroken to hear the tragic news of the fire that engulfed Grace Presbyterian Church in Montclair. Our thoughts and prayers are with the community as they come to terms with this devastating loss," Ani Ramen House wrote on Instagram.
Oak Tree-Iselin Presbyterian Church said on Facebook: "We send our prayers to the members and staff of the Grace Presbyterian Church of Montclair, NJ, as they recover from a fire."
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze, Mayor Sean Spiller wrote on Facebook.
"But know our community will rally around the congregation," Spiller said, "to support them as they recover."
