A historic Russell County church was destroyed by a massive fire early Tuesday morning, leaving church leaders and members devastated but determined to rebuild.
Multiple fire agencies responded to St. Paul C.M.E. Church on Bleecker Road after a structure fire was reported around 5:05 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
The Crawford, Ladonia, Uchee Creek, Dixie, Fort Mitchell and Seale volunteer fire departments, along with Smiths Station Fire and Rescue, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office and CARE Ambulance, responded to the scene.
Heavy smoke and flames engulfed the church as the fire spread through the fellowship hall before extending into the remainder of the structure. The church’s beacon collapsed along with portions of the roof as firefighters battled the blaze.
CNAW2News.com spoke with St. Paul C.M.E. Church Pastor Rev. Dr. Raynetta Prevo-Williams, who said she was awakened by a phone call informing her that the church was on fire.
“I was in bed when my chairman of the steward board, Brother Calvin Brooks, called me this morning to inform me that he had gotten the call that the church was on fire,” Prevo-Williams said. “He told me it was a total loss at that time, that it was totally engulfed in flames.”
As she traveled to the church, she said she continued receiving updates from church leaders, including Elder James Q. Smith, who confirmed the extent of the damage.
Despite the destruction, Prevo-Williams said the congregation remains united and committed to moving forward.
“When we come together, we come together for joyous occasions, but we also unite under grievous occasions,” she said. “This is one of those grievous occasions where we will come together and work together in order to rebuild.”
Quoting scripture, she added, “God gives us beauty for ashes. As the church is burned, it does not take away the love that we have for the Lord and the love we have for each other. We know that He will give us beauty for ashes.”
The pastor said church leaders are already making plans for temporary worship arrangements and will be reaching out to community partners for assistance.
“We ask you for your prayers and support,” she said. “Thank you for the years of support that you’ve given us. Just continue to keep us lifted in prayer.”
Prevo-Williams also expressed gratitude that no one was inside the church when the fire broke out.
“We’re just grateful that there was no one here at the time,” she said.
She noted that the portion of the building where the fire appeared to begin included a newer fellowship hall that was constructed in 2020 and 2021. The sanctuary was located adjacent to the fellowship hall.
CNAW2News.com also spoke with Crawford Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tim Jenkins, who said firefighters arrived to find the church already fully engulfed.
“At about 5 o’clock this morning Eastern Time, we got paged out to a structure fire at St. Paul Church,” Jenkins said. “The deputy was already on the scene. It was fully engulfed.”
Jenkins said the roof of the fellowship hall had already collapsed and the fire had spread into the sanctuary before crews arrived.
Firefighters from several neighboring departments responded with personnel and apparatus to assist in the firefighting effort.
According to Jenkins, crews have used approximately 20,000 gallons of water while battling the blaze.
“The heat was so bad that we could not make an entry inside, so we had to tackle it from the outside,” Jenkins said. “As you can see in the background, it’s a total loss.”
Church members gathered at the scene throughout the morning as crews continued extinguishing hot spots.
CNAW2News.com also spoke with Elder James Q. Smith, who said everyone connected to the church is safe. Smith said he received a call about the fire and immediately responded to the scene.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A representative from the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office is expected to respond to investigate the origin and cause of the blaze.
CNAW2News.com will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.
