Blaze guts historic Falkville church

By Staff
State investigators examining fire
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
As the crowds gathered around the burning walls of Falkville First United Methodist Church all had a story about what the old stone church had meant to them.
There were stories of weddings and funerals, baptisms and Christmas programs at the 130-year-old church. Those memories are all that remain of the church after it was gutted by fire Monday afternoon.
The blaze began shortly after noon and quickly consumed the church, leaving only its outer stone walls standing in the end.
Hartselle, Ebenezer, Cotaco and Oak Ridge Fire Departments all responded to the scene. In addition to the flames and heavy smoke, firefighters had to battle unseasonably warm weather.
State fire marshals were on the scene Monday afternoon but the cause of the fire has not been determined.