Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Rev. Nigel Pusey (right), jokes with Rev. Janson Kelly outside the tent where North Street United Church conducted a worship service yesterday. The 168-year-old church, situated at the corner of North and Princess streets, conducted its first service since being destroyed by fire on February 9. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
THOUGH MOST of its brick structure was destroyed by a fire five days earlier, the North Street United Church still cut an imposing backdrop for pastor Reverend Pusey as he delivered his weekly sermon in the church's car park yesterday.
Rev. Pusey said the enthusiastic turnout of members and colleagues from sister congregations was evidence that the damage caused by the early-morning inferno had not dimmed their spirits. According to Reverend Pusey, their presence showed that a church was more than a building.
NOT ABANDONED
"Even though the building is burnt we are not abandoned ... we must remember that the church is not the building, the church is us the people who worship here," he said to rapturous applause.
Eyewitnesses say the fire started around 3:30 a.m. It razed most of the building including its service hall. Rev. Pusey said a rebuilding fund has been established at the Cross Roads branch of the National Commercial Bank.
Yesterday's service was also attended by students from the North Street Primary School which is located on the church compound, as well as residents of Hannah Town where the 168-year-old building is located.
One of those residents, a woman who gave her name as Colleen, took her six-month-old son, Ashani, to be christened. She said if the fire was the work of arsonists, it was unfortunate as the church has a strong relationship with the community.
"If is so then that is very bad, very bad," she told The Gleaner.
The United Church which has a membership of 167 persons, was one of two churches along North Street damaged by fire last Tuesday. The Seventh-day Adventist church was firebombed by unknown persons at 6:00 a.m.
Police are investigating both incidents.
