Fire Destroys Historic Wilson County Church

By Baptist and Reflector

LEBANON — Cedar Grove Baptist Church here was destroyed by fire early on Feb. 21.

According to news reports the church, which was constituted on May 15, 1813, is the fourth oldest church in Wilson County.

The Lebanon Democrat reported that a church member passed by on Saturday morning, saw the flames, and reported the fire.

Joey Cooper, Wilson Emergency Management Agency director, told the Democrat that no one was inside the church and no injuries were reported. “The structure sadly was a total loss,” he told the paper.

Cooper said the cause of the fire is under investigation but there is no indication of foul play, the paper reported.

The church, which is currently without a pastor, held services the following day at The Dillon Barn which is located nearby.

Dave Shelley, director of missions for Wilson County Baptist Association, said the church had 91 in attendance.

Shelley encourages Tennessee Baptists to pray for members of Cedar Grove during this difficult period in the life of the church.