Church fire under investigation

The burning to the ground of the First Pentecostal Church building in Holly Springs is under investigation as arson, according to Leland Reed, arson investigator for Marshall County.

He said arson is suspected because the words, "Bet you stay home now you hypokrits," were spray painted on asphalt in front of the church.

The incident was reported by a passerby who saw the fire and called 911, Reed said.

The message arrived at dispatch at about 2:28 a.m. Wednesday, May 20. When firefighters arrived three minutes later, the church was completely involved, Reed said.

Holly Springs Fire Department, Red Banks Fire Department and Potts Camp Fire Department responded to the fire.

Some firemen were on the scene most of the day.

Reed said firefighters went back Thursday to put out hot spots. Firefighters were careful not to overdo in putting out the blaze in an attempt to preserve evidence, he said.

Reed said the State Fire Marshal's office, Marshall County Sheriff's Department, the City of Holly Springs Fire Department and ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) officers all came to help investigate the cause of the fire.

"No forensic evidence was found," Reed said. "No evidence has been taken from the property as of this time (Thursday of last week)."

The building was a total loss, Reed said.

Investigators were back on the scene Friday as county workers arrived with a track hoe and pulled the metal roofing material back off the floor so they could search for clues and evidence.

Maj. Kelly McMillen, with the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, said he believes arson is involved based on the graffiti and also the speed of the fire. He said based on articles found at the scene he hopes fingerprint and DNA evidence will be retrieved.

Investigators were looking to find the point of origin of the fire Friday as they sifted through debris, McMillen said.

The church recently received national media attention after it held services Easter Sunday during a Stay-At-Home order issued by the City of Holly Springs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That day Holly Springs police arrived at the church to stop the gathering. Afterward members of the church went to Walmart to protest the store being open for business while they were not allowed to be open for services.

The church also filed a lawsuit against the city.

A preliminary hearing was held in Federal Court in Oxford before Judge Michael P. Mills and he issued an opinion based upon the facts presented in the case.

The preliminary opinion can be found in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Oxford Division, under CASE # 3:20CV119 M-P. Plaintiff is First Pentecostal Church of Holly Springs, and the defendant is City of Holly Springs Mississippi.

No ruling on the cause of the fire was available at presstime Tuesday.