The Episcopal Church of the Messiah, a 150-year-old church in Central Islip, was tragically destroyed in a fire on Sunday morning, authorities say.
According to the Islip Fire Department, multiple agencies responded to calls of a fire at the historic house of worship, located on Carleton Avenue, at appromixately 3:30 a.m. It reportedly took two hours to extinguish the blaze.
According to a post on the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island’s website, “The building sustained catastrophic damage from fire, heat, and water. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will take fire investigators several days to assess.”
The church was empty at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical in nature, reports say.
The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, Bishop of Long Island, said, “The building sustained catastrophic damage from fire, heat, and water. But the church members are the church. Buildings can be replaced.”
The Episcopal Diocese noted that neighboring Episcopal parishes, as well as those from other denominations, have offered space for worship and other assistance.
“We are profoundly grateful for the prayers and offers of support from the neighboring community and across the diocese,” Bishop Provenzano said. “We are grateful to the Central Islip Fire Department for its quick response. To lose a historic church building is always painful to witness. In time, with God’s help, we will rebuild the worship space we lost. Please continue to pray for all those affected.”
