West Monroe Church Burns to the Ground
By: Meagan Fitzgerald
Updated: November 18, 2009
Firefighters were on the scene at around 5 o'clock Wednesday morning.
Ouachtia Parish fire investigator Curt Meachum
said, "The rear of the building was fully involved and the fire was coming out of the attic."
When pastor Mary Hoff got the call saying her church was on fire, she froze.
Hoff said, "Total fear, total fear. I began to spin in circles, it took me a while to get my clothes on so I could get over here."
And when she got there she says all she could do was hope part of the church could be saved.
Hoff said, "It only took me a few minutes that that wasn't going to be the case, the flames were half way up the pine trees and I realized that they weren't going to stop it."
This is the front of the church, of course, its been destroyed, but the only things that were able to be salvaged were some collection plates, some baskets and what Hoff says is most important .. the book of Mormon and the Bible."
Hoff said, "That speaks loud and clear to me just exactly this is the house of the Lord, that's the most important thing."
Hoff says she's not allowing the fire to dampen her spirits. She sees the fire as a new beginning, an opportunity for the congregation to grow and become closer.
Hoff said, "We've learned in the past that working hard together brings things, that's the best time of your life when you're working on a great project together."
Ouachtia Parish fire investigator Curt Meachum
said, "The rear of the building was fully involved and the fire was coming out of the attic."
When pastor Mary Hoff got the call saying her church was on fire, she froze.
Hoff said, "Total fear, total fear. I began to spin in circles, it took me a while to get my clothes on so I could get over here."
And when she got there she says all she could do was hope part of the church could be saved.
Hoff said, "It only took me a few minutes that that wasn't going to be the case, the flames were half way up the pine trees and I realized that they weren't going to stop it."
This is the front of the church, of course, its been destroyed, but the only things that were able to be salvaged were some collection plates, some baskets and what Hoff says is most important .. the book of Mormon and the Bible."
Hoff said, "That speaks loud and clear to me just exactly this is the house of the Lord, that's the most important thing."
Hoff says she's not allowing the fire to dampen her spirits. She sees the fire as a new beginning, an opportunity for the congregation to grow and become closer.
Hoff said, "We've learned in the past that working hard together brings things, that's the best time of your life when you're working on a great project together."
