1920 Fire Centenary by David M. Fulk
March 21, 1920—two weeks before Easter—was a typical Sunday morning at Second Baptist. Sunday School was in session, and people were already gathering for the morning worship service when 10-year old Ernest Swan made his mark on the history of the church.
This is how the “Buildings & Properties” chapter of Celebrating 175 Years: I’ll Second That begins. It’s page 41 if you want to find it! According to local newspaper accounts, young Ernest Swan was outside the building when, at 10:25 a.m., he noticed a fire in the roof. The first person he found was Dr. John Priest Greene, the newly retired president of William Jewell, who was serving as interim pastor.
Dr. Greene reportedly took immediate action, directing an orderly and fast exit of members and guests from the buildings. This proved fortunate as witnesses said the building was a smoldering ruin within half an hour. Thanks to Ernest Swan and Dr. Greene, everyone got out safely.
Their quick response allowed time for a few church members to save several pews, the sanctuary pulpit, and three pianos. Aside from the church pipe organ, the pianos were likely the most expensive assets inside the buildings. The relatively new organ, however, was completely destroyed. It was installed in 1912 at the cost of $4,500—a gift from the estate of Lindsey Petty. The organ was insured for $3,500, and the building itself was insured for $12,000 ($3,000 being added in January 1919 at the request of the church treasurer).
Everything else was also lost: hymnals, Sunday school materials and records, tables, chairs, kitchen apparatus. Everything. Including the church’s service flag containing the 71 stars symbolizing all those in the church who served in WWI—three of whom didn’t return home.
The week after the fire, the church’s newsletter, The Calendar, contained this reflection that more than physical items were lost:
This fire is a distinct blow to our church … Many did their first work for God in that old building. Some were married there, and there their sons and daughters were baptized … Others have preached the old, old story within those walls. Hallowed memories those! … Every brick meant a sacrifice and was laid with a prayer.
Imagine the extreme sense of sadness, heaviness, and loss felt by the church family in the days and weeks after the fire. No doubt, many must have felt that Second’s hard times were piling on them. It was the second building they’d lost in 38 years; just 18 months after the end of WWI; and only a year after the church had been closed for ten weeks due to Spanish Influenza. Although they didn’t observe the Lenten season, they keenly had those feelings we try to practice in Lent: reflection, penance, and self-denial.
There were signs of hope to that congregation in 1920: the church was in a period of growth; they had a brand new pastor in Oscar Mangum who showed great leadership in the fire’s aftermath; lay leaders gathered immediately after the fire declaring they would rebuild; and within a week they pledged $75,000 toward the construction of a new, modern building to “meet the demands of a booming church.” All of this demonstrated an attitude of looking to the future. This would, no doubt, be aided by the start of the Roaring Twenties, a decade marked by economic growth, innovation, and cultural advancements.
The church was undeterred in its growing witness to Liberty and points beyond. Even without its own house of worship, they were resolute in their commitment to missions, education, service, and denominational leadership.
What do these century-old events tell us?
Then, we worked with local health officials by closing our doors to limit the spread of a pandemic disease—the same today.
Then, we rallied around those who kept us focused on the future—same today.
Then, even when we were down, we never lost sight of our calling to help those in need—the same today.
Then, we had hope because we’d been through something similar before—same today.
Then, we took stock of our faith during a season of prayer and reflection—same today.
I pray we will weather our current crisis as our forbearers faced theirs—in faith, in support of our community, and in hope of a bright future.
March 21, 2020, marks the first in a series of historical events leading us toward the centennial of our oldest building.