FAWN GROVE, Pa. (AP) -- An early morning fire extensively damaged a church Thursday, and the bitter cold left an icy layer on the coats of some firefighters.
The blaze, which was discovered about 4 a.m., collapsed the Civil War-era chapel portion of the Fawn United Methodist Church complex and caused its 100-year-old bell tower to list.
''It's probably a total loss,'' said Citizens Volunteer Fire Co. assistant chief Scott Dickson. ''I'm just thinking it's a big piece of Fawn Grove history that will be gone.''
The congregation, located near the Maryland state line about 45 miles southeast of Harrisburg, numbers about 400 people. The building is considered one of the oldest United Methodist churches in York County.
A single-story brick classroom annex was unaffected, and church leaders said Thursday they were considering holding services there this weekend.
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