‘Made us stronger’: York County, SC pastor says church will endure after arson
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South Carolina police and federal agents are investigating after a York County church that has many people of color among its members was intentionally set on fire Tuesday night, officials said.
The fire Tuesday night at New Life Seventh Day Adventist Church is being investigated as an arson by the York County Fire Marshal’s Office, said Greg Suskin, spokesman for York County.
The pastor at New Life, Rev. Monte Newbill Sr., said the church leaders and membership at the church, which has many African-American members, remain undaunted by the fire and will continue to serve the community.
The fire happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church at 1375 Ogden Road just south of the Rock Hill city limits, officials said.
Firefighters had to break in through the doors to put out the fire, Suskin said. There was minimal damage to the church from the fire, Suskin said.
Investigators from the fire marshal’s office determined an incendiary device had been thrown through a window into the church, Suskin said.
No injuries were reported.
Church remains strong, pastor says
The church building dates back to 1987 and was the first Seventh Day Adventist congregation in Rock Hill, according to the church Web site.
Newbill said the church and its people will not be intimidated.
“Our church remains a safe place,” Newbill told The Herald in a telephone interview Wednesday. “We are resilient. The pandemic did not shut us down and this will not shut is down, either. God is protecting us, and guiding us.”
Newbill said it is an understandable concern as to whether the incident was racially motivated, but he has not been told of any evidence of racial bias.
“The question of whether this was racially driven is a question that will be out there,” said Newbill, who is Black. “That’s a legitimate question. The world and society might jump to that conclusion, but we do not know if that is the case.”
Newbill said that as an African-American, he was heartened to see the different races of people in the fire departments and law enforcement from York County, South Carolina, and the federal government at the church Tuesday night who are working together. Churches are reminders that all people of all races are human beings who should love and look out for each other, Newbill said.
“As an African-American man, it is comforting to see so many people who do not look like me who have the best interests of our church and our people at heart,” Newbill said. “I thank every one of those people.”
Newbill said the church continues to work with federal, state and York County officials as the investigation continues.
Newbill said as a man of faith he has forgiven the person or persons responsible.
“Right needs to be right, and wrong is wrong,” Newbill said. “We are not happy with it. But we forgive you.”
Church leaders have not yet decided whether to hold services at the building this weekend because of health concerns from smoke that was inside the church before the fire was put out, Newbill said.
Feds, locals investigate church fires
York County, South Carolina and federal officials have not released any information about a possible motive for the fire, including whether racial bias might be involved.
A sign for an arson hotline was posted in front of the church Wednesday.
York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said Wednesday that his deputies will continue to work with South Carolina and federal agents to determine who is responsible for the arson against the church and its members.
“We want to restore a sense of safety and comfort to the congregation and community as quickly as possible,” Tolson told The Herald.
Because the fire was at a church, the State Law Enforcement Division arson team, FBI, and ATF were called to investigate, York County officials said.
Federal officials have investigated religious house of worship fires since a federal law was passed in 1996 that made church arson a federal crime.
Kevin Wheeler, spokesman for the FBI in South Carolina, said Wednesday afternoon the FBI is assisting South Carolina and York County authorities in the investigation.
The York County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Trent Faris said the sheriff arson team also is involved with the investigation. The sheriff’s office sent a K-9 team to the church Tuesday night, officials said.
Federal agents, and South Carolina and York County arson investigators, were on scene Wednesday as the investigation continues.
York County fire officials said they are investigating whether a fire set on railroad tracks near the church last week is related to Tuesday’s church fire.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 10:13 AM.
