Fire destroys Dover Baptist Church

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

Dover Baptist Church as seen from the back, Sunday morning. | Photo courtesy of Wendell Leonard.

SHELBY, N.C. — Dover Baptist Church, located at 1501 Polkville Road in Shelby, was destroyed by fire Sunday morning, Oct. 18, leaving the congregation facing the loss of its church building.

The fire was reported at approximately 8 a.m. Sunday. Images from the scene showed extensive damage to the church, including a burned roof and the collapse of portions of the structure.

Dover Baptist Church addressed the fire in a public statement posted to its Facebook page Sunday afternoon, thanking the community for its prayers and support.

“Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us. Our building is gone, but the church is not!” the church stated.

The church noted the cause of the fire remains under investigation but added that no foul play is suspected.

Church officials also warned the public to stay away from the building and grounds because the remaining walls are unstable and hazardous.

“We ask that everyone stay away from the building and the premises due to the fragility of the walls that remain. They are unstable and are hazardous,” the statement said.

Those wishing to contact the church or convey a message to the congregation were asked to reach out to Joe Thurkhill.

U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, who represents North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, offered prayers for those affected by the fire and thanked local emergency personnel for their response.

“Praying for those affected by this fire,” Moore said.

He also expressed appreciation for the emergency personnel who responded to the incident.

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“Thank you to Shelby Fire & Rescue Department and our first responders for all they do to protect our communities,” Moore stated in the social media post.

The church’s statement emphasized that although the physical building has been lost, its congregation remains. The church expressed appreciation for the continued prayers and support it has received from the community.

Angela Fireball Hicks, commenting on the church’s Facebook post, noted that the cross on the front of the church was still hanging following the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Dover Baptist Church has stated that no foul play is suspected and has urged the public to avoid the damaged structure because of the danger posed by the remaining walls.

The Shelby Independent will continue to follow developments as additional information becomes available.

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent. 

THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT.