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Jessica M. Sibley

While most of the St. Luke's Methodist Church was heavily damaged, these pews and literature readings have been left untouched within a scorched sanctuary.

WALHALLA — Members of the community gathered on the stairs of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Tuesday evening, stepping over charred pieces of debris.

While 11 fire departments were on scene since 12:25 a.m. on Tuesday, crews continued to work with SLED throughout the day to determine the cause of a devastating fire that ripped through the house of worship.

Walhalla, Westminster, West Union, Clemson, Station 21, Keowee Key, Keowee Ebenezer, Corner Shiloh, Seneca, Mountain Rest fire departments, Walhalla and Westminster Rescue Squads, Red Cross and Oconee County EMS were all on scene to help control the blaze.

“This was a huge effort on everyone’s part,” said Walhalla Fire Chief John Ekaitis. “They all need to be very proud of themselves as this was a difficult fire to contain and one of the biggest we have seen in quite some time.”

The cause of the fire has been deemed undetermined at this point, Ekaitis said. While it has been determined that the fire started underneath the pulpit in the middle of the church, a catalyst for the start of the fire has yet to be pinned down.

“There has been talk about an old sump pump and refrigerator in the basement of the church,” said church member Maxie Duke. “I just have a feeling that once the insurance agency does their work, we will be told it’s necessary to tear it down and start all over. We’ll see.”

Chief Ekaitis did comment on the fact that there was no accelerant found at the scene and that the doors were locked and secured, pointing to no forced entry.