AREA CHURCH OFFERS REWARD FOR INFO LEADING TO ARSONISTS,

Historic building targeted several times by vandals

Cedar Grove Church officials are offering a reward leading to the arrest and conviction of people who attempted to burn the 134-year-old Miller County structure.

The blaze started about 2 p.m. March 3 when paper was ignited on a table, according to Miller County Fire Marshal Garry Sumner. The flames spread along the northeast side of the building, which is without utilities.

Sumner said the fire is being investigated as an arson.

Several factors presented the fire from spreading,. Sumner said.

Genoa Volunteer Fire Department was returning to their station from another fire so were able to quickly dispatch to the church, which is on Miller County 266. The fire was also reported while it was in its early stages, Sumner said.

The wood-frame church has been vandalized several times. A number of items, from the podium to rose bushes, have been stolen.

Thieves also have helped themselves to the church’s sign, copper wiring, well bucket and pulley.

The lights have been broken with rocks, and the front doors have been replaced four times—once after an ATV was driven up the steps into the doors.

“All they had to do was open the door. The doors weren’t locked. They were just being destructive,” said Gail Hacker, who cares for the church.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call Miller County Sheriff’s Office at 870-774-3001; Stacy Laxton, president of the church association, at 903-826-2310; or church volunteer Gail Hacker at 870-653-2235.

The church was built in 1883 and is used now for special events. It has served various denominations, from Baptist and Methodist to Episcopalian.