During the night on this date in 1942, Bethania Moravian Church caught fire and burned.
Built in 1809, the church lost its ancient roof timbers and the organ built by Joseph Ferdinand Bullitschek in 1773. Although the interior furnishings of the church were burned, the sturdy brick exterior walls did not fall. The walls were between two and four feet thick.
Since the fire occurred in wartime, special permission was required to obtain rebuilding materials. The War Production Board approved the purchase of materials so that a permanent roof could be built on the shell to prevent weather damage.
The photos above show the church exterior and the interior in 1941, before the fire. Miss Pearl Strupe is seated at the organ in the interior photo.
Photos courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
