Providence Church Finds New Home After Fire Displaces Congregation

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence church displaced by a fire is not letting that stop its congregation from worship.

Impact Center Providence Church at 353 Elmwood Avenue sustained serious damage in a massive fire on Wednesday. And since then, the church community secured a temporary home at 184 Broad St. This means 11 a.m. services are back on for Sundays.

"We know that this is not the end of our story," Pastor Kpehe Percy Ballah said. "Even though our hearts are broken, we know that God is still moving. We will not allow this fire to stop us from serving people and bringing holistic transformation to many lives in this community, because we are called to be here."

As for the original Elmwood Avenue location, Ballah said he is waiting approval from the insurance company to restore the building. He also said if the church can get a "$2 million miracle," the Broad Street location could become a permanent community center with a youth center. He called on the community for help, saying they can "turn our tragic situation into a testimony."

Fire officials said the fire started during a construction incident, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

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