x
Breaking News
More () »

What we know about the church that collapsed

Engaging Heaven Church in New London had a long history.
Credit: Google Street View
Google Street View image of the church.

NEW LONDON, Conn. — In many ways it looked like dozens of other churches that dot the New England landscape, grey granite, with a steeple reaching to the heavens. 

The church in New London that collapsed around 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon suddenly stood out from the crowd when the roof over the nave and the center steeple portion of the front façade fell in noise and dust. No one was injured. 

At one time the building housed the First Congregational Church, but  more recently it was the home of the Engaging Heaven Church. 

The granite building stood for more than 170 years at the corner of Union and State Street. Perched on a small hill, and set back from the street, Mayor Michael Passero said in an evening press conference that the church will be missed. 

There were no known structural problems with the building. 

Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines 

It survived the Hurricane of 1938 that devastated much of the surrounding city. 

Although the damage impacted the church itself, the one story addition was also rendered unusable according to the mayor.  

The church will be demolished. 

Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.

RELATED: Church roof collapses in New London

RELATED: No victims found in huge debris pile after corner of Bronx apartment building collapses

Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com

 

HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS

Download the FOX61 News APP

iTunes: Click here to download

Google Play: Click here to download

Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.

Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.

FOLLOW US ON XFACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM

Before You Leave, Check This Out