Lightning strike likely caused Lebanon church fire - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Sunday morning storms rolled into central Indiana along with a lot of lightning, and a strike is apparently to blame for a church fire in Lebanon.

The First Church of the Nazarene caught fire around 6:00 am Sunday morning. Firefighters from several departments responded. While no one was hurt, they could not save much of the building.

A symbolic image outside is what's left of Lebanon's First Church of the Nazarene.

Pastor Richard Burdett said, "The church, the body of Christ, goes beyond the walls."

Watching from the parking lot, Pastor Burdett surveyed the devastation of the place he's called home for more than 12 years: "At first I was numb, but then I think of the Church. The building, but the Church itself is in the parking lot or wherever God's people who gather are."

And gather they did, several hours earlier than these church members normally do on a Sunday morning.  The parking lot for the nearly 100 members was a peaceful place. Missy Schuermann has been worshipping here since she was five.

Missy Schuermann added, "Christmas programs, Easter Programs, those are things you don't forget. As long as we are together, it doesn't really matter because we are truly that close."

Fire Chief Jason Lee from the Lebanon Fire Department tells Eyewitness News that his men were moved by the positive attitudes: "If they need help, we will be here on our own time."

Several departments helped attack the fire. Chief Lee tells Eyewitness News smaller items from the church offices, like computers, could be saved- but not much else.

The Alpha House next door, however, was not damaged. The house helps families in need by offering them shelter and also serves as a food pantry. It will remain open.

Church members still prayed on this Sunday. Worship service moved to Lebanon Middle School where a tired congregation was very thankful to have each other.

"My hope is in Christ, not brick and mortar," said Pastor Burdett.

Pastor Burdett says the church does have insurance and hopes to rebuild on the property. For the time being, several churches in the area have offered the parish to use their places to worship.