Bangor Church Condemned After Devastating Fire; Investigation Ongoing

URGENT UPDATE: A significant fire has severely damaged a nondenominational church in Bangor, prompting officials to condemn the building as investigations continue. The fire erupted early Wednesday morning, July 12, 2023, at the church located at 125 S. Main St., owned by Gethsemane Ministries and leased by Lighthouse Ministries.

Borough Manager Stephen Reider confirmed that a “condemned” sign was placed at the front of the church, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “It is still very fresh,” Reider stated, adding that he has not received any new information regarding the cause of the blaze.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and officials confirmed that no one was inside the church at the time of the fire. Eyewitness accounts and initial social media posts depicted a harrowing scene, with flames and smoke billowing from the church’s roof, visible from miles away.

Firefighters from Liberty Fire Company 2 and numerous first responders from across Northampton County battled the flames for hours. Fire crews utilized a tower ladder to combat the fire from above. Traffic was diverted around South Main Street, also known as Route 191, due to the firefighting efforts.

The church, built in the early 1900s, has a long history, previously serving as the Salem Evangelical Church before being sold to Gethsemane Ministries in 2000, according to records. Officials from both Gethsemane and Lighthouse Ministries have not yet commented on the situation.

In a show of community support, Liberty Fire Company thanked Council members Marissa Donnelly and Marc Sperling for providing critical assistance, food, and water to first responders on the scene.

As the investigation continues, officials urge the public to remain cautious and avoid the area. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this devastating fire, which has left a significant mark on Bangor’s landscape.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.