The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-14
FL AMES WRECK
BAPTIST CHURCH
Stockton Street, southsidc, Com
plctcly Destroyed After
Night Service.
FIRE STARTED FROM STOVE
Second Alarm Brought Rich
mond Engine to scene-Build-
ing Partly Insured.

Less than three hours after the eve.
ming services. Stockton Street Baptist
Church. corner of Seventh and stock
ton Streets. South Richmond, was dc.
stroyed by fire last night, the ruin
being complete.
The blaze was discovered shortly
after II o'clock by j. r. Hamilton and
Clarence Wright. who were passing by
and noticed smoke pouring from the
windows. They telephoned to fire
headquarters, and the South Richmond
Engine Company. responding, founc
the fire so extensive ana threatening
that second alarm was sent in. The
hose company from Cary Street was
IrushedNover to help the Southside fire.
men. But the flames had gained such
Roadway that 1t was practically impos-
sible to save the church and the fire.
men could only drown the flames after
hard struggle and prevent them from
spreading to adjoining dwellings AS
the building was a frame structure
ton. The roof was burned completely
out, and all the interior OF the church
was destroyed by the combined action
Of fire and water. The four walls were
left standing. but will have to be RACED.
Small Stove Caused 1t.
The fire started from a small stove
in the room OF the pastor, Rev ]. T.
Haley. 9The stove was located In close
contact to the walls. and where the
wall bad been scorched until 1t smol-
dered and burst into flames could
plainly be seen. The blaze climbed
the inside wall to the roof and then
:k,read to the centre and forward part
Of tue structure, eating its way with
fierce rapidity.
The South Richmond company was
much Handicapped by the lack OF lad
ders long enough to reach the roof
| The men had to scale a board fence.
short hook ladder to which they were
hoisted on the shoulders of comrades,
climb to the sides of the roof, whence
they directed three streams of water
into the burning building. The actual
struggle lasted not more than fifteen
control. Water had also to be shows
cred on adjoining residences. as they
were In danger of catching every min
ute from flying sparks. From the res
! church on the south side all the FUR
nlture was carried out into the street.
Few Things Saved.
| few things inside the church were
| saved. Messrs. Hamilton and Wright
carried out the organ, the pulpit Bible
and several chairs. but the plano, which
| had been used in place of the organ.
all the pews and almost everything
| else were destroyed. A member OF the
congregation found the communion
service in time and carried 1t out to
safety.
The church has been in existence
| seventeen years. having started as o
small mission in what was once the
northeast portion OF Manchester. Mr..
| Haley has been pastor for, nearly two
years, and was to have preached his
second annual sermon oil. the fourth
| Sunday OF this month. In April OF
last year an addition costing $l.50a
was built to make II larger for the In
creasing congregation, which now nun.
| bers $40 members. A small amour,
| az money was sim owing on this add!-
ton, and the pastor and congregation
had hoped to finish lnSing it within
the next few months. The total value
Of the building will rssch abou. $500 HH,
! insurance.
Baptism Last Night.
Several converts were baptized al
the services last night by Mr.. Haley
but the sermon was delivered by Rev
Il. w. Davis. member Of the Metho
! dist Conference. After baptizing anc
receiving the converts into HIS church
Mr.. Haley went to his home at 20t
East Twelfth Street. to be with HI:
| wife. whose father died at Scottsbure
yesterday morning.
Ny. Haley was much distressed ovel
/ the disastrous loss Incurred by tn.
| fire, and said that the church woulc
have to be rebuilt. Work will begir
as soon as possible, member OF thu
i congregation saying last night that thu
members would not be discouraged by
/ the loss
1 z