SOUTH SEAVILLE — Fire destroyed the historic (circa 1884) South Seaville United Methodist Church located on Corson Tavern Road on Fri., June 10. The blaze, reported about 3:30 a.m., had already gotten a raging advantage before firefighters could begin their battle.
In a final report presented to Ocean View Fire Chief Joseph Gurdgiel after an investigation by the Cape May County Fire Marshal’s office, lightning and arson have been ruled out.
“It’s going to go down as inconclusive,” said Gurdgiel, referring to the fire’s ignition factor.
According to Gurdgiel, there were renovations going on in the sanctuary area. Fire investigators were able to determine that the fire did begin in the front area of the sanctuary.
“It could have been rags, it could have been electrical,” said Gurdgiel. The fire was so intense that evidence was hard to come by. “There was nothing left to help with the investigation.”
While the first alarm was called in at approximately 3:30 a.m., according to the investigation the fire had been burning for several hours prior to being discovered. Eventually the heat from the fire shattered a window, allowing air to enter the closed sanctuary. Once oxygen was met with the flames, the fire grew into a raging inferno that devoured the historic building.
“We got there and when we saw it we knew that we wouldn’t be able to save it,” said Gurdgiel.
Called in to assist were fire companies from throughout Cape May County. Companies from Ocean View, Marmora, Seaville, Den-nisville, Bell Plain, Woodbine, Tuckahoe, and Sea Isle all answered the call.
“At the height of it we probably had 150 men and about 25 pieces of equipment,” said Gurdgiel. “I also had a tanker truck from Stone Harbor and one from Goshen.”
In addition to the county Fire Marshal’s office, the investigation also included the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the New Jersey State Police.
While the church was deemed a total loss, and was demolished for safety reasons later in the day, several pieces of the church were salvaged. “We were able to locate and return to them their steeple bell and the corner block from 1884 with the time capsule in it,” said Gurdgiel.
Many in the Ocean View community have strong ties to the church – including Gurdgiel. “I was married in that church in 1978,” he shared. “And both of my sons were baptized there.” According to the Gurdgiel he went into firefighter mode when he first arrived at the scene. “It didn’t hit me until daybreak and I saw the other parishioners. Then I became emotional.”
As the sun rose and word spread many parishioners made their way to the smoldering church. Members of the congregation hugged each other, and wiped tears from their eyes. A sign proclaimed a chicken barbecue on June 26.
Rebecca Johnston of South Seaville, a lifelong member of the congregation was at the scene when the first fire trucks arrived.
“When I got here the cross was flaming red,” she said. “I watched until it fell into the church. It was so sad.”
The pastor of the church is Rev. Thomas Perry.
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, of the Greater N.J. Conference of the United Methodist Church said, “I am very sorry that it happened. I just learned of it. I am leaving immediately to go to South Seaville to meet with the pastor and superintendent. “My prayers are with the people of the church.”
The future of the church remains unseen. But, as Gurdgiel told the elders of the church, “The church isn’t gone. Just the building is gone. The church is the people.”
Parts of this story were first published at capemaycountyherald.com
Contact McGuire at (609) 886-8600 Ext 31 or at: dmcguire@cmcherald.com
Additional photos, by Jean Reeves, can be viewed by clicking here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150284082290730.378035.62719310729
