Police investigate suspected arson at Portland church
Sep. 27—Police are investigating a fire that damaged a Portland church early Sunday morning as suspected arson, and church officials believe it could be racially motivated as well.
The fire started between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Sunday on the front exterior of the Portland New Church on Stevens Avenue. It appeared to be set in the area where a Black Lives Matter sign had been hanging, according to Lorraine Kardash, the church pastor and building manager. The sign, which had been displayed outside the church for at least a year, was later found by investigators in bushes near the church.
Neighbors who spotted the fire called for help and rushed across the street with buckets of water to try to put the fire out, Kardash said. They did not see any suspects at or near the scene.
Kardash said investigators have told her the believe the fire was intentionally set.
The Rev. Anne Gresinger, president of the church council, said a diversity banner that had been hanging inside the church had been removed some time in last several months. She didn't know whether that might be connected to the fire.
"It certainly seems like someone is making a statement about not being OK with those things," she said. "Hopefully, the investigation will clarify things. There are asking a whole lot of questions and talking to neighbors. We're told they do have some leads, so we may learn something soon."
The fire is being investigated by Portland police, investigators from the fire department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Capt. John Brennan of the Portland Fire Department said it is standard to involve the ATF in fires at churches.
Brennan said the department was notified of the fire around 1:45 a.m., and firefighters extinguished the flames within minutes of arriving at the church. There were no injuries. He did not have an estimated cost of the damage and said investigators are still determining the cause.
The damage was largely contained to the front of the building and a stairwell just inside the door, Kardash said. The church plans to rehang the Black Lives Matter sign and is working with its insurance company to begin the process of assessing and repairing the damage.
The fire will not disrupt any future services or church functions, Gresinger said.
Church leaders shared a few details about the fire on the church Facebook page and included a photo of the charred façade of the building.
"The face of the beloved Portland New Church was damaged by arson last night. Neighbors acted fast and doused the fire before major structural damage occurred," the post said. "Speculation about the motive is fueled by the fact that the Black Lives Matter sign that was hanging outside by the door is now gone. This humble church has served as a meeting space for many people in Deering Center since 1910. We are saddened and angered by this hateful act."
Kardash said the church council met on Sunday to discuss the incident.
"There was a lot of concern, heartbreak, anger and feeling we need to respond to this and not just ignore it," she said.
Gresinger said she is thankful for the support of the community and the neighbors who stepped in to help.
"We're concerned about who it is that would have some kind of problem with the church, but on the other hand, it gives us the opportunity to really feel the embrace of the community," she said.
The church is planning a peace picnic on Oct. 10 in the church yard. The interfaith community, police officers, firefighters and neighbors will be invited to gather as a community and stand up for diversity, Kardash said.
Portland New Church was officially constituted on Aug. 21, 1831, by a group who had begun meeting to read and discuss the writings of Emmanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish philosopher and theologian. The church was located on High Street during its early years. The current church building was completed in April 1910 as a parish hall, according to a history of the church posted on its website.
