A predominantly black church under construction in Springfield was destroyed by fire November 4th, just hours after Barack Obama’s landmark victory, triggering concerns that the building was purposely set ablaze in a possible hate crime.
The blaze started at Macedonia Church of God in Christ at 3:10 and caused an estimated $2 million in damage.
Church officials pledged to rebuild, but the concerns that their building was targeted dampened a mood that had been so uplifted in the night of Obama’s historic win to become the nation’s first black president-elect.
“This was a special time in our nation’s history, but I also know not everybody was happy and celebrating,” said Bishop Bryant J. Robinson Jr., head of the church. “After 71 years of being an African-American, you know these things happen.”
Located on King Street, the church was moving to the site at 215 Tinkham Road, where the fire occurred.
