Community reacts to Historic black church in Blackstone destroyed by fire

BLACKSTONE, Va. (WWBT) – Mount Nebo Baptist Church, a historic black church that has served the community since 1867, burned down Saturday night in what appears to be its fourth building loss since its founding.

No one was injured in the fire that destroyed the church building, which had been at its current location since 1975. The church was established two years after the Civil War ended.

Lead Pastor Wayne Moody said he wanted to drop to his knees when he arrived at the scene Saturday night.

“It’s a place where we come to worship. It’s a place where our children are grown and to serving the Lord and getting to know Jesus Christ. It’s a place where we help one another as a body of believers. So when you see the church in this situation with fire, it just takes so much out of you,” Moody said.

Moody said the church has not received an official report from investigators, but there is evidence that the fire started in the boiler room.

Plaque at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. The church burned down Saturday, Dec. 13th.(Peter Alvey | WWBT)

The Blackstone Volunteer Fire Department said there had been no update on the investigation since Saturday. The Nottoway Sheriff’s Office said the investigator was not available to provide an update on the cause.

Angela Fowlkes, who has been a member since she was 12, said hearing about the fire was devastating but sees it as an opportunity for the community to come together.

“We was at church every Sunday. Every Sunday we was at church. If it was a program after church, we was there. My friends used to tease me and say, oh my God, you at church all the time. I said, well, that’s all I know is church,” Fowlkes said.

Aftermath of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church after it burned down Saturday, December 13th.(Peter Alvey | WWBT)

On Monday, several cars filled with community members drove by the burnt church to pay their respects and share their connections to the church and community.

“We have to come together as a community and as a church and be strong that knowing that this…happened for a reason. We have to keep the faith,” Fowlkes said.

Moody, who has only been the pastor at the church for about a month, said the congregation will rebuild.

“Even though we know that this has happened, this is not going to stop us. We’re going to rebuild, and we’re going to continue to be a blessing in this community,” Moody said.

Mount Nebo will hold service this Sunday at the Nottoway Civic League, 1010 Mount Nebo Rd, Blackstone, VA.

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