Napier Pastor Suspects Deliberate Lighting of St Paul’s Presbyterian Church Fire

Reverend Mark Johnston of St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Napier suspects the fire that destroyed the 94-year-old building was deliberately lit. The blaze, which gutted the church early Monday morning, is being treated as suspicious by police, with an investigation ongoing. The structure, which had been held together only by metal trusses after the fire, was described by a Fire and Emergency spokesperson as “well involved” around 1am.

Johnston held a service at the church on Sunday, less than 24 hours before the fire. He said the last 48 hours had been “very intense,” as he and his team dealt with insurers and secured the site for health and safety. Despite the loss of the sanctuary, Johnston said the congregation was “doing okay.” He emphasized the overwhelming support from the community, with locals, people from afar, and other churches offering prayers.

A church leader meeting on Tuesday night revealed the emotional impact of the event. The church will continue holding services at Asher Hall, located next to the remains of St Paul’s, at 10am each Sunday through 2027. The hall, previously owned by St Paul’s until July, is now under the ownership of Bay Vineyard Church. Johnston noted that the church’s “wonderful friends” at Bay Vineyard were not using the building on Sunday mornings and welcomed St Paul’s to continue using it.

Before the Sunday service, Johnston invited the public to attend a karakia and acknowledgment in the carpark by the remains of St Paul’s at 9.30am. He said the church was receiving many messages from people with connections to the church, who were “all feeling absolutely reeling” over the loss of their connection to the venue.

The incident has raised questions about the motives behind the fire, with Johnston expressing strong reasons for investigators to consider the possibility of suspicious circumstances. The community remains united in support, as the church seeks to rebuild and continue its mission.

Source: Read the original report