February 27, 1910 - Church Fire
On Sunday, February 27, 1910, the Methodist church in Whitinsville was destroyed by fire. At 9:45 AM, a small ring of smoke was detected by members of the church quartet, who were rehearing in the auditorium. Although fire companies responded within 15 minutes, the wood-framed church, fire fanned by the wind, burned rapidly. The roof of the church fell at 10:40 AM, and five minutes later, the big bell, which was given to the church in 1895 by Charles E. Trowbridge, fell through the belfry floor and down through two other floors to the cellar. At 10:50 the steeple, which stood 60 feet higher than the church, toppled and fell into the middle of the cellar. Finally, at noon, the remaining three brick chimneys collapsed into the ruins. Fireman continued to work on the fire all afternoon and some were kept on the scene all night.
Damage to the church was initially estimated at $25,000. Besides the original cost of the church, $3000 in remodeling was performed in 1908. The organ was valued at $2000. At the time of the fire, the church was insured for $7000. The fire caused minor damage to five nearby houses, but the church’s parsonage, built in 1904, was unharmed. All of the occupants of the church escaped unharmed and no one was injured by the fire.
Select any photo to enlarge
