APOSTOLIC News

NASHVILLE, IN  – July 15, 2010. Investigators say an arsonist set a fire that destroyed a historical chuch in Brown County. The Grandview Apostolic Church was found in flames in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 14. The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms determined the fire was intentionally set.

A 911 caller reported the fire to dispatch at approximately 4:55 a.m. The caller advised that the structure, on Grandview Road, was fully engulfed in flames.

Brown County (Nashville) Volunteer Fire Department, Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department and Fruitdale Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, along with a Columbus Regional Hospital ambulance.

Firefighters appeared to have the fire contained by approximately 5:30 a.m. They used water from a neighbor’s pond to help fight the fire.Van Buren Chief John Ward had command of the scene and was unavailable for comment. Other firefighters indicated that no one was believed to be inside the church and that no one was injured fighting the blaze.

David Ziegelbauer, assistant Van Buren chief, said firefighters did not yet know what started the fire.

Rick Vasquez, John Butler Road, said his son told him he thought the church was on fire. The family reported the fire to authorities at about 4:50 a.m., he said.

“My boy said, ‘Dad, I think the church is on fire.’ The steeple was on fire. It was the only thing really burning,” Vasquez said.

The roof of the church and the steeple appeared to have collapsed in the fire. The remains of the structure were still smoldering in places at approximately 6:15 a.m.

Several members of the church arrived on the scene at approximately 6 a.m. and mourned the disaster.

UPDATE 9:45 a.m. Wed., July 14

Sheila Miller, the wife of Pastor James Miller, said early Wednesday morning that the 45 members of Grandview Apostolic Church hope to rebuild their church if possible.

Grandview Apostolic Church formed in 1892. It was the second oldest church in Brown County, and had no insurance coverage, Miller said.

“We’re not quitters,” Miller said, asking Brown County residents to pray for members of the church.

The church held service Tuesday evening and planned to hold an all-night camp out next week, an event the church has held for 18 years. The event has been canceled due to severe fire damage.

Miller said she was told the fire started in the church’s roof and could be electrical in nature.

The state fire marshal is apparently traveling to Brown County to investigate the cause of the fire.

Miller said people interested in helping members rebuild the church can contact:

Pastor James Miller and Sheila Miller: (812) 526-2550

Church Trustee Merrill Walker and Bernice Walker: (812) 988-1807

Assistant Pastor Kent Pierce: (812) 552-9491

Member Rex Lucas: (812) 498-5530

Thanks to the Brown County Democrat for this story.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has opened its Arson Hotline (800-382-4628) in addition to the Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana hotline (317-262-TIPS). Those with information about the fire at the Grandview Apostolic Church are encouraged to call either line. All calls will be kept confidential.

An award of up to $5,000 is available through the IDHS Arson Hotline, and an award of $1,000 is available through Crime Stoppers for callers who provide information leading to an arrest of the person(s) responsible for the Grandview Apostolic Church fire.

WISH/Brown Co. Dem