(Photo by John Griffin)
The State Fire Marshal declared the burning of the Bethel Church on Elizabeth Hill as arson. Authorities are still following up on leads, but there have been no arrests.
"There is evidence of grand larceny prior to the fire," said Kim O'Brien with the state Fire Marshal's office in Charleston. "There are items missing from the church â the heater and some pews."
"The church had no money and no insurance. Everything we had went right back into it ... It is upsetting," said pastor John Barker.
The church was also broken into A few weeks before the fire and someone stole about $2,000 worth of tools.
The church, which measured just 20 feet by 26 feet, was built in 1898.
| 
