Church leaders discuss what's next following devastating fire

Leaders of New Gospel Tabernacle Holiness Church in Winston-Salem met with church members on Tuesday night to discuss what is next following the devastating fire that destroyed the church building.

The fire happened at about 3 a.m. on Monday. The Winston-Salem Fire Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the incident. SBI officials say it's still "too early to tell" what the cause of the blaze is and ATF officials say that they do not comment on ongoing investigations.

Church leaders say they were in the process of raising funds for renovations when the fire happened. They say they do not have insurance on the church, which was built in 1939, because the church is too old. The congregation is 109 years old.

On Tuesday night, church leaders met with church members at a local restaurant to discuss what's next following the fire. The meeting was closed toanyone outside of the church but the pastor tells WXII 12 News that several local pastors have offered to let the congregation use their churches for the time being. Pastor Wallice Hairston says the church will decide on Wednesday where they will hold services while they work to rebuild their church on the same plot of land off of Laura Wall Boulevard on the east side of Winston-Salem.

Following that closed meeting between church leaders and church members, the Head Deacon of the church, Samuel Gamble, told WXII 12 News how hard the last two days have been for him.

"It’s just hard. Your appetite leaves and you can’t have sleep because it’s on your mind but one thing about time is it heals all wounds. Just give it time and it goes away,” said Deacon Gamble.

The church has a donation fund set up through SunTrust Bank. Contact the bank to find out how you can donate.