Church in ruins; parishioners stunned (CUMMINGTON, Mass)

Church in ruins; parishioners stunned
Updated: Monday, 18 Jan 2010, 7:30 AM EST
Published : Sunday, 17 Jan 2010, 6:53 AM EST

Elysia Rodriguez
CUMMINGTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A historic church in Hampshire County burned to the ground leaving its worshippers in shock. At this point, the fire isn't considered suspicious.

It stood for nearly two centuries, but early Sunday morning a fire left the West Cummington Congregational Church in ruins.

Members who normally head from all over the hill towns for services here every Sunday arrived to find their beloved church on fire.

"The church was gone. All you could see was smoke and water," said Hal Fales, a deacon at the church.

The congregation gathered inside the church's parish house, which thankfully was not attached to the church. They plan on holding services there for the meantime.

Bobby-Ann Higgins started the Sunday school program and watched her children grow up in the church. Higgins clutched a painting her mother made of the church, a place full of memories, that members hope will not fade.

Martin Pixley was baptized in the chuch and renewed his vows to his wife just a short time before she passed away from cancer. He even remarried in the church.

"I mean that church was a piece of our America," said Pixley.

Sunday morning's fire left nothing but the shell of the church remaining. The state's fire marshall has been called in to investigate. Cummington's Fire Chief Bernard Forgea told 22News they aren't taking chances.

"With what happened the last month, with the Northampton incident, that there be some sort of connection or nexus. It only takes one fire to paralyze the hilltowns," said Chief Forgea.

But like any small town, these faithful say it is only a matter of time before they rebuild.

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