Fire guts historic church in Sheridan

   SHERIDAN — A fire caused by last month’s snowstorm destroyed a 133-year-old church in this Yamhill County city two days before Christmas.
As reported by The Oregonian, a metal canopy attached to the Sheridan United Methodist Church probably collapsed under the weight of the snow, broke a gas line and hit an outdoor light on the way down, said Sheridan Fire District Chief Terry Ney.
   The fire destroyed the brick sanctuary, which was built in the 1950s, and the wooden education and fellowship area, built in 1875. The church was insured. Firefighters rescued the altar Bible and cross, and the pulpit and pews might be salvageable, a spokesman for the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church said.
   The blaze was reported by neighbors at 4:15 a.m. on Dec. 23. Fifty firefighters from nine departments battled the fire for about four hours.
Rev. Carol Swanson, the church’s pastor, told the newspaper that various temporary worship sites had been offered to the Sheridan congregation.