Rock Hill theater a total loss - Fire destroys old church building from 1896

[Doondoo]

At 4:25 a.m. Sunday, Rock Hill fire officials got a call about smoke at the building on West Main Street. The fire quickly spread, engulfing the building, said Capt. Rusty Myers. The cause was unknown Sunday, though Myers said he didn't suspect it was set intentionally.

The building was a "total loss," he said, estimating damages at $1.3 million for the structure and for materials inside.

.......

The building dates to 1896, said church historian Eleanor Johnson. In 1952, the church added synthetic stone to its frame -- much of which is still intact.

The church, now Cornerstone United Methodist, moved to Heckle Boulevard in 1995.

The theater's board had an emergency meeting Sunday to decide what to do next and find a venue for next weekend's performances, said treasurer Rich Brashear.

"Yes, this is a setback. Yes, there is a sense of grief and loss," he said. "But we are still committed to the community and providing theatrical arts to Rock Hill."


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