Watch CBS News

Southwest Philadelphia church to be demolished after roof, bearing wall collapses

The Greater Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Southwest Philadelphia will be demolished after the roof and side bearing wall collapsed Sunday night. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Licenses and Inspections said the church near 56th Street and Woodland Avenue will be demolished Monday after the collapse. 

Woodland Avenue between 55th and 56th streets was shut down Monday morning as crews prepared for the demolition. L&I said that all the utilities to the building have been secured.  A fence has also been set up around the church ahead of the demolition. 

It's still unclear what led to the collapse. No one was injured in the incident. 

The Red Cross said it's helping seven people in nearby homes impacted by the collapse. 

New Hope Philly, a Bible-based ministry created for people who have dealt with addiction, is connected to the Greater Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church building. In a social media post Sunday night, the ministry asked the community for prayers as they're currently unable to enter their building and apartments.

In the same social media post, New Hope Philly wrote that the city's biggest concern is the left side of the Greater Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church will collapse onto the roof of the New Hope Philly church.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue