A fire broke out at Balsora Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Texas, last month, nearly destroying the entire building, with one notable exception.
A large cross that remained standing amidst the rubble.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on the blaze, noting that the “church was almost entirely destroyed by a fire.”
Firefighters from multiple houses responded to the scene and were even inside the church trying to save it as the roof began to collapse.
“The fire took the structure, but not the cross.”https://t.co/wKBYQL8s6k
— The 700 Club (@700club) June 22, 2022
One Emergency Services Department noted churches are prone to collapsing during a fire because fires “pose an inherent danger related to the great span of the sanctuaries and great halls”
Several firefighters were treated at the scene and an investigation commenced.
A fire broke out at the Balsora Baptist Church in Bridgeport, TX, & quickly consumed the building & everything in it. Only one thing was left standing—the cross! https://t.co/BuF0HuYgbp
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) June 22, 2022
RELATED: Ventura Cross Remains Standing Despite California Wildfires
Cross Survives a Church Fire in Texas
Those on the scene of the Balsora Baptist Church fire quickly noticed a “sight to behold.”
The ‘Wise County ESD No. 2 / Boonsville-Balsora Volunteer Fire Department’ Facebook page posted an image of a large cross that somehow managed to remain standing even as the church itself had collapsed.
“A devastating loss to our community, but a sight to behold,” they wrote. “The fire took the structure, but not the cross.”
“A symbol that the building was just that, a building. The Church is the congregation, and where 2 or more gather, there he shall be also.”
The contractors working on the roof of the Balsora Baptist Church took a lunch break, upon returning they found the building on fire.
The church was completely destroyed except for a lone cross in the sanctuary seen standing among the smoke and ruin.https://t.co/990azjMTd3
— NPR (@NPR) June 20, 2022
News of the cross surviving the Texas church fire was reminiscent of the iconic Serra Cross surviving California wildfires that swept through the area in 2017.
The Christian cross is a popular tourist attraction and the site of many weddings over the years.
Portions of the surrounding park were burned in the Thomas Fire, a wildfire that burned 281,893 acres, and was the largest in California history at the time.
But the Serra Cross remained unharmed.
Serra Cross still standing at Grant Park overlooking downtown Ventura. So, scratch that rumor. #ThomasFire pic.twitter.com/n7rKISoO3r
— Lisa McKinnon ☮️ (@805foodie) December 5, 2017
Several people responded to the Facebook post regarding the cross surviving the Balsora Baptist Church page. Many were optimistic after they saw a positive religious sign in the devastating scene.
“Can not break the cross! Believe in God and he will provide,” one person remarked.
“God will provide beauty from ashes … This I know,” another added.
The church held its usual Sunday services just two days after the fire took down most of the structure, as churchgoers gathered in the Prayer Garden in shorts, t-shirts, and sitting in lawn chairs.
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