Cause of Port Huron church fire unknown as investigation closed

Port Huron Fire Department officials said no cause could be determined for the fire that destroyed Zion Cathedral of Praise church in July.

The fire started on the west exterior portion of the building, in the vicinity of a trash receptacle storage area, the fire department said. The investigation into the cause of the fire is now closed.

The fire was reported at about 6:15 p.m. July 26 at the church, which is located at the corner of Moak and 30th streets in Port Huron. The structure was rendered a total loss.

Pastor Kim Brown said demolition of the building will happen most likely in the second week of November. Once demolition is complete, the church's contractors will determine whether they can begin work on a new building before winter sets in.

Brown has said funds from the church's insurance policy puts it in a good financial position to begin rebuilding once that process can start. She anticipates there will also be some fundraising to cover what insurance will not, but the exact timeline and process of that is still unknown.

Since the fire, the church's services have been held outside and at area churches, including St. John's United Church of Christ and Bridges church.

Brown said Zion Cathedral of Praise is planning to hold services at New Life North church in Kimball Township for the month of November, with some programs still at St. John's and Bridges.

One silver lining from the fire is the support, collaboration and fellowship the church has experienced following the fire, as many area churches and organizations have offered space and other forms of help, Brown said.

“We’re grateful, very grateful, so many things that I am encouraged by," Brown said.

Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or lfitzgeral@gannett.com.