A three-alarm fire that roared through the First Presbyterian Church of Prosper on Tuesday destroyed much of the historic building. Still, despite blackened interior walls, shattered stained glass windows, and the destroyed sanctuary, the outside walls stood like those around Jericho, tall and strong.
The fire started in the back of the 130-plus-year-old church, according to officials. Crews were called around 1:45 p.m. to the site at 400 S. Coleman Boulevard. Prosper Fire-Rescue crews received assistance from the Frisco, Celina, McKinney, Little Elm, and Aubrey Fire Departments.
Firefighters had extinguished the blaze by 4 p.m., WFAA reported. There were no injuries, and no one was inside the building at the time of the fire. Fire officials believe the conflagration started due to an electrical issue related to the HVAC system.
The original church structure was built in Rock Hill in 1892. However, the building was moved to Prosper in 1902, according to the site’s historical marker. Many residents of Rock Hill moved to Prosper at this time to be close to the railway line.
The church building was designated as a historical landmark in 2012 by the Texas Historical Commission, which lauded the church for its charitable contributions throughout history, stating, “for well over a century, the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Prosper has served the community, state, and country through outreach and service.”
Fowler stated that congregation services would likely be virtual until they develop a concrete plan for the next steps.
While Fowler described the damage to the church building as a “devastating loss,” he also emphasized that their church is much more than a building. “Satan can burn a building down, but he can’t stop us. God is not done with us.”