Jesus Painting Survives Fire That Destroyed 150-Year-Old Church In Massachusetts
(CBSNEWS) - A massive fire destroyed the First Baptist Church of Wakefield in Massachusetts Tuesday night, CBS Boston reports, and the historic building was described as a total loss. But as workers were clearing the ashy remains of the church the next day, Jesus appeared in the form of a painting, The Boston Globe reports.
Photos from the scene of the fire show a building inspector removing a nearly-pristine painting of Jesus, which once hung just inside the church's front doors, according to The Boston Globe. Somewhat miraculously, the painting survived the devastating fire. The image of Jesus emerging from the charred church gave worshipers some solace during the difficult time.
Wakefield's historic First Baptist Church was ravaged by fire Tuesday evening. But this painting of Jesus was somehow left unharmed by fire, smoke, or water. https://t.co/5qj2vIA29s pic.twitter.com/9wJF1OjmJn
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) October 24, 2018
Former parishioner Susan Auld told the Globe that the Jesus painting will be given to a former pastor of the church.
The First Baptist Church of Wakefield, which was nearly 150 years old, according to its website, caught fire around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, CBS Boston reports. A witness says lightning struck the 180-foot steeple before it went up in flames.