In the wake of a fire that destroyed his church building, Pastor Shane Swafford of the Grace Point Church of God sat down with WEIS Radio News on Friday afternoon to share heartfelt thanks from his congregation to the First Responders of Cherokee County for their dedicated hard work and effort on the Morning of Monday, August 5th.

Centre, Leesburg, and Spring Creek Fire Departments were dispatched to the fire at Grace Pointe Church of God on East Main St. at approximately 1:25 a.m. Monday morning after a caller reported to Cherokee 911that flames coming from the front left side of the church.

Firefighters quickly arrived on-scene and began battling the blaze. Due to the front of the church being brick and the sides, back and roof being metal, it made it very difficult to gain access to the fire therefore additional fire departments had to be called in from Cedar Bluff, Ellisville, McCord’s, Piedmont, and Gaylesville. After approximately eight hours firefighters were able to bring the fire under control and extinguish it.

Pastor Swafford said that he would also like to extend his appreciation to surrounding churches and pastors for their support; he said that at least five Pastors have offered the use of their facilities to Grace Point so that they would not have to miss their services.

Pastor Swafford said that the outpour of the community has been overwhelming. As of right now the plan for the church is to occupy the original building which houses the youth and children’s ministry.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.