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Water, fire damaged Wilson church in storm

Members of the First Free Will Baptist Church will worship in their activity center Sunday after a thunderstorm Friday night damaged their sanctuary.

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Fire at First Free Will Baptist Church
WILSON, N.C. — Members of the First Free Will Baptist Church will worship in their activity center Sunday after a thunderstorm Friday night damaged their sanctuary.

Ralph Pipkin, a member of the congregation, was on his way to the 4865 Nash St. NW church when he heard sound "like a big cannon" just before 9:30 p.m. Friday. Lightning had struck near the steeple, breaking the steeple in half, according to Wilson County authorities.

Early worship and Sunday School were canceled for Sunday, and one worship service will be held at 10:45 a.m., said Doug Radford, an associate pastor.

The storms left the church without power Saturday and the sanctuary had fire and water damage, according to Pipkin. No one was in the church building at the time of the strike, and no one was hurt.

Vacation Bible School, scheduled to start this week at the church, has been postponed indefinitely, Radford said.

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