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Fire tears through Clearwater church

No one is injured, but damage to the Unity Church of Clearwater is estimated at $500,000.

CLEARWATER - Under the thin layer of black soot lay scores of precious memories.

A tiny sanctuary where christenings were held. A small room stuffed with floral arrangements. A youth room with new furniture paid for by the kids.

"There are some things about a church," the Rev. Leddy Hammock said. "There are memories that are not replaceable."

Late Tuesday night, a fire started in the Unity Church of Clearwater building on Nursery Road. Flames tore into the walls and crept into the ceilings. When firefighters arrived, black smoke was gushing from the church.

Firefighters confined the flames to a single area of the church, but the thick smoke blackened much of the building. Water soaked much of the rest.

Damage to the $1.2-million building is estimated at $500,000.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though Hammock said fire officials told her it may have been caused by an electrical malfunction. Fire officials said the blaze does not appear suspicious.

"There is a certain amount of shock," said Hammock. "I've spent more time there than at home in the last 221/2 years. I feel a part of me has burned."

But Hammock quickly thought of a more troubling question: Where to hold services on Sunday?

Her mind turned to the church across the street, Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater.

The churches have shared services in the past. Unity Church also has allowed churchgoers from Unitarian Universalists to use its parking lot as an overflow lot on Sundays.

When Hammock reached the Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, he agreed to allow parishioners with Unity Church to worship at 1 p.m. on Sundays until their building is repaired. Unity Church has a congregation of about 1,400, with an average of about 600 attending Sunday services. Janamanchi's church holds up to about 500, but the church will do its best to accommodate everyone, he said.

Hammock said she offered Janamanchi money for use of the church. He refused. "That's what neighbors do," he told her.

"I feel we are in the business of serving, and one way we do it is to help each other in a time of need," he said. "I'm sure they would do the same for us."

The fire started sometime late Tuesday night. Neighbors smelled smoke and called 911 just before midnight, said Terry Welker, deputy chief of the Clearwater Fire Department.

The first fire crews arrived at the church, 2465 Nursery Road, five minutes later. Smoke rolled out of the building while the heat was buckling metal support beams inside. Fire crews entered and considered retreating because of instability in the roof, but stood their ground and kept the fire from spreading, Welker said.

Hammock said the fire started in the area of the church's Garden Chapel and youth room. Both those rooms and a hallway were destroyed, while nearby rooms and passageways were damaged. Fingers of black soot also curled into the main sanctuary, which is on the opposite side of the 16,000 square-foot building.

Almost 50 firefighters were summoned to the blaze, which was put out about 1:15 a.m. One firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion and released within an hour, Welker said.

Hammock praised firefighters for pulling two cats who lived in the church from the building. They also scooped fish out of the church aquarium and carried them to safety in a bucket, she said.

Welker said the church has had no previous problems with fire code violations, but lacked sprinklers and an alarm that automatically notifies the Fire Department.

Because the church was built in 1971, it was not required to have those devices. But Welker said all churches should have them.

Welker said churches are in particular need of those systems because they are left vacant overnight. They also typically have large parking lots, setting them apart from neighbors who could otherwise quickly notice a fire next door.

"Having a sprinkler system is like having a 24-hour firefighter in the building," Welker said. "It will save a building that is precious to them. And if they think "it can't happen to me,' then they should talk to members of the Unity Church."

Hammock said the extent of the structural damage was being evaluated Wednesday. It was unknown how long it would take to fix the damage. The church is insured, Hammock said.

While church leaders assessed the damage Wednesday, parishioners stopped by to offer support.

"I loved that church like I built it myself," Hammock said. "I loved it so much, maybe too much. But the church is a building. The real church is the people."

About 60 parishioners gathered outside the burned church Wednesday evening for a short prayer service.

"There won't be any music, but we'll be together," she said. "And that's what a church is all about. I think I'm learning that more than I ever knew."

Chartered in 1956 at 2465 Nursery Road, the church has 1,400 members. The sanctuary was built in 1971. Sunday's service will be at 1 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater at 2470 Nursery Road. A concert by pianist Stephen Jacob has been rescheduled for 2:15 p.m. Sunday at Unitarian Universalists. It is free.

The Rev. Leddy Hammock has been pastor for 22 years. Community-oriented, the church often holds fundraisers for youth and for homeless animals. According to the church's Web site, Unity members adhere to five basic beliefs: God is good, and God is all; humans are children of God, and the divine presence expresses through humanity; mind is primary and causative; individuals are free in matters of belief; and Jesus Christ is the elder brother, master teacher and "wayshower." Unity considers itself a Christian church, but focuses on the God within each person.