Church breaks ground on new building after fire

CROCKETT COUNTY, Tenn. —  Cairo Baptist Church members are excited to celebrate a new beginning for their church. Nearly a year ago a fire caused irreversible damage to their sanctuary, causing them to start over.

“It was hard to be really positive that day but we’re really glad that its rolling forward and Gods blessing us,” Cairo youth leader Liz Ward said.

Despite a little rain, Sunday morning church members broke ground on where the new sanctuary will be built.

“One way or another we’re gonna break ground so if we had to stand out in the rain and do it we’ll do it,” Ward said. “It was going to happen today one way or another.”

Although that fire took over the main building, church members were relieved they still had their education building as a place of worship.

“Gods looking out for us because we had the ed-center over there where we met this morning and it was a blessing that we had that,” Cairo building committee chair Don Thompson said.

After the fire the pastor was told it would take $900,000 to rebuild, but the church insurance didn’t even cover half of that amount. Many have volunteered to assist build the build and others have contributed to the building fund. Another church even donated about $30,000 worth of furniture to fill the church when it’s complete.

“It makes you feel good to know that the community thinks enough about the church and its ministry in the community that it continues to stand with us and support us,” Cairo Baptist Church Pastor Bob Dennison said.

Even though Sunday was about getting a new building, members say the building is just a tool to serve the community.

“The building is not the church its the church family and we’ve stayed together,” member glynda ward said. “But we’re looking forward to havign our church back and we want to stay the light in this community and let people know we are here.”

Pastor Dennison expects construction to start some time in July. He hopes they are able to move into the new building before the holidays.