100-year-old Barrow County church destroyed by fire

A Barrow County church is unsure if it will rebuild after a fire destroyed the more than 100-year-old structure.

The church’s pastor and members of the congregation stood by Friday moing, helpless to stop the flames that destroyed the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit in Winder.

”I’m flooded with so many emotions about the whole thing. I don’t know what to think, Rev. Philip Adair said.

Firefighters said they believe lightning sparked the fire.

”When I got here, the roof was on fire and everything was gone, Adair said.

Adair said the original church was built in 1904 and has undergone renovations over the years, thanks to a lot of time and money put in by the 70 church members.

”We had just bought a new sound system, new monitors for the front walls, and it’s all gone, Adair said.

Adair told Channel 2’s Darryn Moore he does not have a backup plan and he does not know if the church will be rebuilt.