The Orange Park community is picking up the pieces after a fire tore through the St. Simon Baptist Church.
Just after noon on Friday, investigators said arson is suspected.
They said the fire was suspicious because the church was empty inside at the time of the fire.
Elder Moyenda Ambakisye and his wife came out Friday morning to see what was left of St. Simon Baptist Church.
The pastor’s assistant told Action News Jax they’re devastated. The historic African-American church holds a lot of memories.
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UPDATE: Arson is suspected in this church fire. Investigators with the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Bureau, The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosive Investigations, and Orange Park Fire Department are all investigating. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information. pic.twitter.com/Juoms2m5TV
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) March 26, 2021
“We were married here. As a matter of fact, my son was married here and I think I mentioned earlier, I baptized my grandchildren after I was brought into the ministry,” Ambakisye said.
Multiple crews from Orange Park fire stations were called out to the church just before 11 p.m. Thursday.
The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations called out the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to help in their investigation.
One woman stopped by to drop off a donation after hearing about what happened.
Ambakisye said he’s just grateful for the support he’s been receiving from the community.
“For me, there’s no Black church, no white church, there’s no red church. You either are the church or you’re not and she just showed me that the church and our God are real and that just empowers me to keep on going. I could just jump for joy,” he said.
The church was going through renovations and was set to re-open in May.
Church leaders said they have plans to rebuild.
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