South Fort Myers church keeps the faith after fire damages the sanctuary

The Villas Wesleyan Church in south Fort Myers was visibly and badly damaged after a fire Tuesday night.

Inside, water-logged pews are covered with chunks of the roof, insulation, and soot. The carpet was drenched from firefighters working to put out the flames.

Two parts of the roofs caved in. 

Pastor Wesley Wickard told WINK News while he was in his office Tuesday night, he smelled the smoke. He rushed outside, saw the flames and called 911.

“Yeah, I was in my office, which is the rear of the building, and I was working on a project for seminary, and the alarm went off. And so I was like, man, what’s that sound? So I came out, and a bunch of smoke rolling, and so I left the building and called 911,” he said.

South Trail Fire and Rescue responded shortly after 8:00 p.m. The Iona McGregor Fire District assisted with the call.

Firefighters recovered some things they knew the congregation hoped to see still standing, including the cross.

“They brought out our cross, which was right where the damage was in the church, but they literally like carrying that out. It was just a kind of a really beautiful moment of respect, and going above and beyond,” Wickard said.

• Fire spreads through South Fort Myers church

Wickard said he was immensely grateful for that and while it hurts, the fire won’t stop them from practicing their faith. The church will hold services in the gymnasium until they can rebuild.

No one was injured. The local and state fire marshal will investigate the cause of the fire.