Fire sparks revitalized facilities, congregation at Red Bank Methodist

In just under seven months, a fire did what Red Bank United Methodist Church might never have accomplished on its own, according to the Rev. Jeff Lambert, pastor.

Not only did the June 10 fire, which caused more than $2 million in damage, allow the church to replace and update all the fire torched, he said, but it also unified the congregation.

"It brought us together," Lambert said, citing Romans 8:28 ("... all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose"). "It was great to see everybody working together."

The fire emanated from a lightning strike on the roof near the front outer wall of the church's Christian Activity Center on the eastern side of the nearly block-long complex.

By the time the 14 fire departments who responded had left the scene after nine hours, fire, smoke and water damaged had permeated some 38,000 square feet of the 47,000-square-foot building.

Only the sanctuary, offices and youth room on the western end of the church were left unscathed.

Red Bank United Methodist will mark the completion of the refurbishment today with a consecration prayer at the 11 a.m. worship service and an open house from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The prayer will be given by the Rev. Mike Hubble, the denomination's district superintendent for the Chattanooga District and a former Red Bank UMC pastor.

The open house will offer self-guided tours, refreshments, activities for children, refreshments, a video presentation of the fire and rebuilding process, and a gift for attendees.

One of the areas Lambert is especially glad to see reopened is the Christian Activity Center, which annually offers church and community members use of its gymnasium and workout facilities on weekday mornings and middle-schoolers use of its gym and game room three days a week after school.

Some of the 50 students who frequented the now red- and beige-painted gym -- and share in the daily Gospel or life lesson -- were present to watch as the fire devastated their hangout, he said.

"There were kids with tears in their eyes," Lambert said. "Even though they didn't come on Sunday, this is their church."

The fourth-year church pastor said a high percentage of members had some hand in the renovation process. Duties were delegated, under the guidance of trustee Mel Willett, and the process moved smoothly, he said.

Sunday school teachers, for example, cataloged damaged items in each of their classes, determined replacement costs and selected the specific color that would adorn their repainted walls, Lambert said. "It involved a lot of people, which is good. That's part of the ownership of it."

The church's insurance company did "us very well," and individual contractors executed amazing work, Lambert said. He said, for instance, an Illinois-based service cleaned every book in the library and all the kitchen appliances.

In the Christian Activity Center, he said, the church was able to replace the old carpet with what installers said was the "Cadillac" of floors available.

Throughout, 70 doors were replaced, nearly 500 sheets of Sheetrock installed, most hall ceilings replaced and nearly all rooms repainted.

"There is no smell of smoke, no mildew," Lambert said.

With the exception of the first Sunday after the fire, the church operated around the renovations, shifting meeting places and making things work. In the seven months, worship attendance even increased.

"I'm tickled at the way it's turned out," Lambert said. "We're all excited about it."