Church services resume after fire

ROBINSON, Ill. (WTHI) - Two weeks ago, a fire destroyed the chapel of First United Methodist Church in Robinson, Ill.

Members of the church that grew up there, won't forgot hearing the news.

"It was a shock.  I had just been there two days before with the hand bell choir and never dreamed that would be the last service in a 112 year old building," First United Methodist Church Member Ken Martin said.

However, it didn't take long before other churches in the community extended a helping hand.

"As we were standing there, watching it burn, I had two phone calls, already, of people offering--I should say three phone calls that night--before I left the parking lot, even," First United Methodist Church Pastor Reverend Tiffany Black said.

"I knew we would meet again.  It's just a matter of where and how quickly we'd find a new church hall, until we can get back in the part of the building that was saved," Martin said.

Otterbein United Methodist Church, in Robinson, opened its doors to First United Methodist.

It even pushed back its service on Sundays, so First United Methodist's long-time radio broadcast of its service could continue as normal.

"In a small town, the generosity of all the people is remarkable," he said.

The church's education building wasn't totally destroyed.

Members plan to move worship back there after some renovations in the next four to five weeks.

"When we leave here, we will essentially go home," Reverend Black said.

The fire shook up many emotions in the congregation, but church members made certain it never broke their spirit.

"Oh, I can't wait to see the future of First United Methodist.  It can be anything and everything. [We're] dreaming right now, because it's wide open.  The future is ours, and I can't wait to see what it holds," she said.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined