Members of churches destroyed by arson relying on faith

The congregations of two Chambers County churches have risen from the ashes left after each church was destroyed by fire more than three months ago.

“We are going to stay strong,” said the Rev. Jimmy Carlisle, pastor of Liberty CME Church.

Investigators suspect the fires that destroyed Liberty and Union Hill CME Church, both in the Oak Bowery community in Chambers County, and damaged Pitts Chapel United Methodist Church, near Salem in Lee County, occurred on a single night in February.

Three 20-year-old Auburn residents believed to be responsible for the crimes were arrested this week, the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office announced. Cody Lauren Jasper, Taylor Hensley Jennings and Christopher Michael Ware were each charged with three counts of second-degree arson and third-degree burglary. Neither Carlisle nor Union Hill’s pastor, the Rev. Masie LaGrand, would comment on the arrests. Authorities said they anticipate additional arrests in the case.

Union Hill members have been using its nearby chapel for services since the fire, LaGrand said, but that is temporary. He said his church will be rebuilt, probably at the same location. But in the meantime, he said they don’t need four walls to be a church.

“Church is in your heart,” he said.

Carlisle said the Liberty congregation has been having services at its sister church in Cusseta. He expressed uncertainty at this time about rebuilding.

“If it’s God’s will, everything will work out,” he said.

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