Partial church collapse in Philadelphia leaves neighbors displaced
Kingsessing church partially collapses, displacing nearby residents
Just hours after Sunday church service, a Kingsessing church partially collapsed, leaving the community in shock and displacing several nearby residents.
PHILADELPHIA - Investigators in Philadelphia are still trying to learn what caused the second floor of a Philadelphia church to collapse on Sunday night.
No one was hurt in the partial collapse, but at least a half dozen people who live in the attached rowhome were displaced.
What we know:
Authorities say no one was inside the Greater Fellowship Baptist Church on Sunday night when the second floor of the building partially collapsed.
The church, located on the 5500 block of Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia's Kingsessing section, is recognized as a pillar in the community.
The second floor of a Philadelphia church partially collapsed on Sunday, leaving residents in attached homes displaced.
The partial collapse left a gaping hole in the side and roof of the two-story building.
Officials are now planning to have the church demolished.
What's next:
Crews have begun demolishing the damaged structure, deeming it too dangerous to repair. A stretch of Woodland Avenue that runs in front of the church remained closed on Monday morning.
The Red Cross is assisting the seven people displaced from the adjacent community-based ministry, New Hope Philly.
The Philadelphia Department of License and Inspection and other agencies are continuing to work to learn what caused the collapse, as the community grapples with the unexpected loss of their historic church.
What's next:
Tishante Jackson expressed relief that no one was hurt, while Sheila Thomas, a neighbor and regular attendee of another nearby Baptist church, shared her emotional response. "It really gets to me. You know it hits home for me," said Thomas.
Pastor Ernest Chandler of Greater Fellowship, who has led the congregation for nearly three decades, vowed to continue supporting his church members spiritually, stating, "I’ll find a way to spiritually foster my church members and have their needs met."