Religious community seeking new home after Thurston Road fire

ROCHESTER NY (WROC) – Wednesday evening around 10 p.m., fire crews were called to the scene of a two-story building on fire at 72 Thurston Road. The first floor is where the Living Water Worldwide Ministry church is located.

Pastor Patricia James remembers the arrival of the entire church community on the scene.

“We stopped, we saw flames coming out of the upstairs window. They were breaking the roof to try to put out the fire. I've seen a lot of white water here. The leader, her husband, all the deacons, the apostles, the pastors, everyone was there, of living water. So, it was just a lot of love and support as we watched where we communicated, where we gathered, on fire,” James said.

Church Chief Apostle Chalonda Harp, who founded this church 13 years ago, said that when she received the call, she was devastated to lose what she and the community have worked so hard to build.

“It’s heartbreaking because, as I’ve explained to people, it’s not just a building. It was our house. We arrived at our house. I'm glad no one died. I'm hurt because we lost and the family upstairs. It's just me being the leader, trying to be strong for the congregation but it's like Lord, what else can I do? What else,” Harp said.

Harp says now the church has to start from scratch and needs things like chairs, podiums and other equipment.

“I know the scriptures say we haven't done it because we don't ask, so I'm just asking my community to step up and help a sister, help a brother, help a living water family to be able to rebuild what there will be. another place where the community can feel at home again,” she said.

If you would like to log in to donate, you can contact Chief Apostle Chalondra Harp on Facebook “Chalonda Harp” or her email address [email protected].

No residents were injured in the fire, but the firefighter was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, and we're told he's recovering well. The investigation is looking into the causes of the fire.