The 160 year-old Calvary Presbyterian Church in the City of Newburgh celebrated its grand re-opening yesterday after sustaining major damage from a fire two years ago. The theme of the grand opening was fire prevention and safety.
In March of 2020, the City of Newburgh Fire Department responded to an active fire at the Fellowship Hall of the church, located on South Street between Grand and Liberty Streets. At the time of the incident, Fire Chief Bill Horton explained that the department simultaneously received three calls notifying them of the fire. The first call came from an alert City of Newburgh police officer who was on patrol and noticed the flames. Almost immediately thereafter, a neighbor pulled a street box alarm to summons the fire department. Also around the same time, the fire alarm in the building was activated and firefighters were alerted.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in the Fellowship Hall. The crews were able to prevent the fire from extending into the sanctuary of the historic church. Although the hall was destroyed, it was able to be rebuilt.
The church held a grand re-opening celebration yesterday in conjunction with the City of Newburgh Fire Department. The family-oriented event was open to the public and was free to attend. The fire prevention and safety fair provided church members and local residents with knowledge of how to prevent fires.
The celebration featured a DJ, food, hands-on activities, and give-aways. Church volunteers came out to help make the event a success.
Funding for the project was provided by the Awesome Newburgh Foundation.
City of Newburgh Councilwoman Giselle Martinez donated enough beverages to provide drinks for all the children who attended. “We are so grateful for your support,” church officials wrote in a statement.
The Orange County Department of Health’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program donated two bags full of fire safety gear to distribute to those in attendance. These donations included fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and more. Church volunteers divvied up the items and made them part of six gift baskets that were raffled off to the public.
While speaking about firefighters saving the church’s sanctuary, Calvary Presbyterian Church officials wrote in a statement, “Thank you again to the Newburgh Fire Department, we are grateful!”
