Augusta church, destroyed by fire, announces it will rebuild

Sunday, June 16, 2019

News 12 at 11 O'Clock

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT)-- Front and center at the New Heights Baptist Church is a sign that reads: "Do not fear... I will help you."

"Whatever we can do to help you, financially, physically, spiritually, whatever we can do to help you, we stand ready to do so," New Heights Pastor Lloyd Greene said.

It's a message to Windsor Heights Baptist Church. Their home of worship is ruined by rising flames, smoldering walls and a collapsed sanctuary.

"It is terrible," Pastor Greene said. "There's nothing left, it's caved in. It was an electrical fire. That's what the Fire Marshall said."

New Heights Pastor Lloyd Greene opened his doors and heart this Sunday. He preached about finding the good in the bad.

"It happened for a purpose and something good will come out of it," Pastor Greene said. "I've been preaching for 63 years. Any kind of tragedy that I have been around something good has come from it. It will come to those folks also."

And it did. Windsor Heights Pastor Rev. Billy Lassister calls it their new beginning. They decided to tear down that's left and start from scratch.

"They will build back. I don't know when," Pastor Greene said. "I want them to build back. I want the church to be there because it's very vital in that area where it's located."

Until they do, Pastor Greene says they have a new home at New Heights.

"Keep their faith," Pastor Greene said. "Don't ever lose their faith and that's the thing that will sustain them and help them to get started with all of the things that they have to do to rebuild. Faith is it."

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT)-- Windsor Heights Baptist Church was ruined by a Thursday fire but by Friday, it had already found a new temporary home. And now, the congregation has another plan in the works--one to rebuild.

Windsor Heights confirmed Sunday evening it will knock down what's

The pastor calls it a new beginning. The congregation decided at their Sunday service, which was hosted at New Heights Baptist, they will get

In the meantime, they're looking for additional space to hold worship services throughout the summer.