Community Looks for Answers after Church Arson

By Jonathon Gregg, Photojournalist

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Mar 11, 2008 at 10:13 AM CST

Story Updated: Mar 11, 2008 at 10:26 AM CST

MONTICELLO - A weekend fire that burned a small-town church wasn't an accident.

The First Presbyterian Church in Monticello burned in the early morning hours of Saturday. And on Monday the community is no closer to an explanation.

You can finally see some of the damage Saturday's fire caused to the First Presbyterian Church.

"I have not heard of that happening in Monticello before. I think its worst when it's a public building," said Audrey Savage, Monticello resident.

Stacks of debris are laid out behind police tape. Charred tables and chairs are black from smoke and flame. The community of Monticello wants to know why someone would set their place of worship on fire.

"Don't make much sense to me, it's senseless," said Jerry Kehoe, Hopkington resident.

Lois Chapman lives across the street from the church.

"When I got up to go to work I smelled something burning," said Lois Chapman, neighbor.

That was around 4:30 in the morning Saturday. Firefighters responded about three hours later. An investigation points to arson, something that doesn't sit well with Chapman.

"It gives me a funny feeling, like somebody is going to try and start something at your place during the night," said Chapman.

The Presbyterian Church will have to decide what it can salvage and those in town will have to accept what happened since they might never understand why. Police haven't made any arrests in this arson case.

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