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Holland church welcomes members after their church burns

Posted at 8:43 PM, May 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-15 20:43:56-04

HOLLAND, Mich. — Days after fire nearly destroyed their entire church, members  of Faith United Reformed were welcomed into a nearby church to worship on Sunday.

Members of South Olive Christian Reformed welcomed the displaced families to hold their services in their church for the time being. Services were scheduled for 11:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

“We just want them to know we are open, we would do whatever we can to help them get through this, because it’s devastating," Garry Dreyer, president of South Olive Reformed Church, told FOX 17 on Sunday.

"It’s just the Christian thing to do."

Dreyer said the decision was an easy one and "the right thing to do," considering many parishioners in both churches are not only neighbors, but friends and even family.

South Olive Christian Reformed.

South Olive Christian Reformed.

Arlan Rouwhorst, with Faith United Reformed Church, said the two churches are located just a mile from each other, making the transition easy for the roughly 250 members who usually attend Sunday services.

“We’re very grateful they opened this up to us and I know, beyond a doubt, they’ll accommodate us in any way we need," he said.

“Seeing all those people respond to this, it’s really big  and that’s our community, that’s West Michigan.”

Rouwhorst said they estimate that roughly half of the building is still usable. They are now awaiting clearance from the fire marshal to use the remaining undamaged space.

Investigators are still working to determined what sparked the Friday morning fire. Officials said the fire did not appear to be suspicious.