Fire Destroys Historic Church in Central Texas

By Staff, Agencies

A Catholic church in Falls County, Texas, was destroyed by a fire on July 29, local media reported.

Firefighters from the Westphalia Volunteer Fire Department, along with the Marlin, Troy, Temple, and Rodgers fire departments, responded to a large blaze at the 124-year-old Church of the Visitation in Westphalia.

Local firefighter Jerry Loden told media he received a call from a family member who spotted smoke coming from the church bell tower.

The church was consumed by flames and burned down, leaving members of its 500-strong parish devastated. There were no reports of anyone injured in the fire.

“It’s extremely difficult and painful to be here and see the ruins and the smoke,” Bishop of Austin Joe Vásquez told media.

“I know that the people here are broken hearted. I want to express my gratitude to the firefighters, I know many of them are volunteer, many of them came from distances to respond to this fire”.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.