In the early hours of August 9, shortly after 1:00 a.m. ET, a fire broke out at Spencerville Church, causing significant damage to the church building, with much of it concentrated in the sanctuary. We’re now told that our sanctuary and foyer are likely a total loss.
Almost immediately, we began receiving questions asking if we were planning to rebuild (yes), and inquiring how they could give. These questions led to the establishment of this page with a secure and easy-to-use donation form.
Make a Secure Donation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: Most likely, yes. Spencerville Church is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Please check with a licensed tax professional to be sure. Donations will receive a tax receipt for the current tax year.
Q: How will donated money be used?
A: Donations through this page will be applied to our “Capital/Rebuilding Fund” and will be used for:
- Costs directly related to rebuilding the structure (engineering, architecture, construction materials, labor, etc.)
- The construction of a new pipe organ
- Restoration of our Steinway grand piano
- The replacement of lost audio-visual equipment in the sanctuary and foyer
Q: What happened? Why did the structure catch fire?
A: The full press release can be found in the news section of our website. The specific cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Montgomery County Fire Department. We can share, however, that it was an electrical issue, and no foul play is suspected.
Q: Will you rebuild? When will the building be completed?
A: Yes, we plan to rebuild Spencerville Church. It’s a spiritual home for more than 2,000 people in the DMV area, with some traveling from as far away as Northern Virginia and Southern Pennsylvania. We look forward to a day when we can worship in our building again! However, it’s too early to speculate regarding a timeline. Rebuilding will likely be a long, multi-year process.
Q: Where is Spencerville Church meeting for worship in the meantime?
A: After several weeks of worshiping in the auditorium at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, for which we are grateful, we are pleased to share that we have reached an agreement to worship at the Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring, just one mile south of our church facility on New Hampshire Avenue at Norwood Road (Set your GPS to 15300 New Hampshire Road).