THORNDIKE, Maine — The Thorndike Congregational Church was destroyed by a fire early Wednesday morning.
“The fire is a tremendous tragedy. [The church] was a landmark for everyone. Everyone knew where it was. And it was a struggling little church,” said Patty Pendergast, who lives across the street from the building on Gordon Hill Road, Route 139.
She said the church had a metal roof and metal siding, so it wasn’t burned to the ground, but it was destroyed. No one was injured.
Thorndike Fire Chief Peter Quimby said the cause of the blaze is unknown, but there is no reason to think the 100-year-old church intentionally was burned. The Maine fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.
The fire started around 4 a.m. Wednesday and was extinguished by 11 a.m., Quimby said.
The fire chief lives five driveways down from the old church.
“It’s a landmark and the local congregation is made of people going back many generations in town. A lot of people here are shedding tears,” Quimby said from the fire scene Wednesday. “It’s a great loss for them. I don’t know if they will rebuild it.”
They will.
According to church deaconess Patty Banker, “we are definitely going to rebuild.”
Banker held a meeting at her home Wednesday with former deacons who made the decision.
“It’s the only one we got,” Banker said of the church that serves about 30 people in Thorndike. “It’s important to everybody. It’s been there for 103 years. We want our church back.”
BDN photographer Kevin Bennett contributed to this report.
Another church destroyed , its sad especially if the church has things in it that are unreplaceable, old memoribila and things like that.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Pastor and Parishoners of the Thonrdike Congregational Church, from The West Forks Congregational Chruch.
Prayers to all. May the grace of God help you heal during this difficult time. ~Moose River Congregational Church, UCC.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the members of the church. My grandparents (Stanley and Geneva McCorrison) were members and attended this church for around 60 years. They dedicated their lives to this church. I have such memories of this little church. The last time I was in the church was for my grandmother’s funeral July 2010. My prayers go out the the members that I have come to know over my lifetime as they strive to get through this hurtle to rebuild. Try to preserve as much of the memories that are left like the stained glass. You are not alone. The North Montville Baptist Church is here to help.
God Bless,
Sharon Elizabeth McCorrison Gates
I am glad no one was hurt. Buildings can be replaced.
One less church or religious building is a wonderfrul thing. More wonderful would be if they were all destroyed since religious beliefs are merely myths of the ignorant people who lived 2000 or more years ago. Religion has always been the curse of mankind.
WOW…. and Christians are supposedly the “hate filled” ones…
Bill Randall, shame on you. The church has many aspects. It is not just about religious beliefs. There are the social events that people enjoy. There are the financial aid they provide to the community, as well as the social services they provide, and I haven’t named them all. This was a small church and may not have been as active as some. I’m not a church person either (agnostic) but I don’t have negative thoughts about churches because they are important to someone else. Negativity at a time like this is better kept to ourselves. If you can’t have a heart for the loss some are experiencing, at least have the good taste not to rub salt in their wounds.
I’m looking at the big picture – the worldly view – not the mini grain of sand on the beach that you seem to be concerned about. Try thinking global. And we don’t need a “church” or a “mosque” to have social events.
Bill Randall thrives on hurting other people’s emotions. Not so long ago he made very awful anti military comments to the mother of a man serving in the military. He is best ignored and if he is lucky he might find God before his final day. May the Lord have mercy upon his soul.
A man of brilliance, Carl Sagan, said that religions are all alike – founded upon fables and mythologies. Albert Einstein said: “Those who march to the sound of music and flag need only a spinal cord for a brain” He also said “that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder.” Bill Randall said nothing nor did he insult anyone.
I take it that Bill Randall is mentally ill?
Nah, Bill Randall just proves the old adage, ” Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” Since he likes to quote great thinkers, I figure he could relate to this.
Yes, I am a friend of your friend, Jim Jones and I am writing this comment from heaven. I am also having dinner later with your Muslim whackos.