Oct. 23--GEORGETOWN An early morning blaze destroyed the St. Stephens AME Church today, hours before the congregation was scheduled to arrive for regular services.
A neighbor reported hearing a loud boom about 6:30 a.m., came out of the house to see the church burning from one end to the other and called 911.
Georgetown City firefighters are continuing to battle stubborn remnants of the blaze beneath the structure's subfloor, according to assistant battalion chief Bob Johnson.
Congregation members gathered at the site as firefighters doused the blaze. The Rev. Carl Anderson, who also serves as the district's S.C. representative, said the congregation will meet tonight with the bishop and elders to determine what's next for the 400-member church.
Authorities haven't confirmed a cause for the blaze and that investigation will get underway once the fire is contained, Johnson said. The heat was turned on in the building, which dates to the early 1900s, for the first time this fall for a wedding Saturday night, he said.
Georgetown County and Midway firefighters also responded.
