Demolition to wrap soon at First Baptist | Repairs to church damaged by March fire could cost as much as $20M, pastor says

May 4, 2020 at 3:51 a.m. | Updated May 4, 2020 at 3:53 a.m.

by Greg Bischof

Light from the stained-glass windows at First Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas, illuminates dust particles in the scaffolding-filled sanctuary. The fate of the church's pipe organ, seen in the background, is yet to be determined. "We are currently waiting on the insurance carrier to tell us what they want to do here," Pastor Jeff Schreve said. "To replace the organ with a new one would cost nearly $3 million."
Light from the stained-glass windows at First Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas, illuminates dust particles in the scaffolding-filled sanctuary. The fate of the church's pipe organ, seen in the background, is yet to be determined. "We are currently waiting on the insurance carrier to tell us what they want to do here," Pastor Jeff Schreve said. "To replace the organ with a new one would cost nearly $3 million."

TEXARKANA, Texas - It may take at least nine more months before First Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas, reaches full restoration following a March 8 fire that extensively damaged part of the building.

Demolition efforts, which started March 9, are projected to be complete by May 23 so that reconstruction efforts can begin, Pastor Jeff Schreve said last week.

"Reconstruction is slated until February of 2021," he said.

photo

RICHARD DREW

AP

GoDaddy Inc. CEO Blake Irving and race-car driver Danica Patrick wave to a camera Wednesday on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange while waiting for GoDaddy shares to begin trading.

As for demolition completion, all that remains is the ceiling and duct work, along with unsalvageable heating, ventilation and air conditioning removal. The church's attic and catwalk areas will also need final cleaning.

"The areas greatly affected by the fire and smoke include the worship center, all three foyers, the music suite, choir room and print shop," Schreve said. "The other areas of the church that had smoke and soot odor problems have now been sufficiently cleaned and are back in service."

photo

AP

An image provided by The John Innes Centre shows a salad made with red and purple tomatoes. A British company wants U.S. permission to produce and sell a genetically modified variety of purple tomato.

The entire worship center has been gutted - with all flooring, walls and ceiling removed - along with a gut of the music suite, print shop and three foyers.

Regarding both demolition and restoration cost coverage, Schreve said the church has sufficient insurance to cover all the damage.

"We have a $10,000 deductible on a multi-million claim," he said.

As for the church organ, Schreve said it was greatly damaged by smoke and soot, adding that the price to clean it totals $1.4 million - but that it's separately insured for $1.5 million.

"We are currently waiting on the insurance carrier to tell us what they want to do here," Schreve said. "We've been told by our onsite consultant that they typically negotiate a settlement when the cost to repair approaches 100% of the policy. We are exploring cost-saving alternatives to the pipe organ that would give the appearance and sound of a pipe organ, without the high cost. To replace the organ with a new one would cost nearly $3 million."

photo

RICHARD DREW

AP

Trader John Bishop (left) works Wednesday on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

As for the total building restoration cost, Schreve said the church hasn't been given a final number on the whole claim, but he estimated the overall cost to possibly be well more than $10 million and maybe as high as $20 million.

Upcoming Events