Demolition of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Opelika to begin

By Tamiko Lowery

Trinity Presbyterian Church of Opelika was declared a total loss after a fire engulfed the structure on a Saturday night in July.

Opelika firefighters worked steady throughout the night of July 13 battling blazes that cleared the treetops and charred the church. As previously reported, the cause of the fire was thought to be lightning. The Opelika Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal are still investigating the church fire and have not yet released a report.

Pastor Chris Duncan said the church property located along India Road was a “total loss.” Duncan said demolition of the church is scheduled for early next week and that Bailey-Harris Construction Company, Inc. out of Auburn would handle the demo.

Trinity’s church steeple could be seen lying in the driveway Friday. Duncan said it was taken down Monday. The bell chime mechanism that chimed the hour was housed in the steeple. The chimes could be heard daily throughout the neighborhood surrounding Trinity.

“Our plan is to rebuild. We’re going to take a few days and catch our breath,” Duncan said. “We will continue to worship on Sundays.”