Firefighters responded to a fire at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Downers Grove at about 6:15 a.m. Monday, according to a statement from the southwest suburb’s Fire Department.
Flames were concentrated on the roof when firefighters arrived at the church, 525 63rd St. They began extinguishing flames from the church’s interior, according to the department’s statement.
“It’s an emotional thing, but it’s property,” said congregation member Paul Schoenbeck. He saw the blaze on his way to work and pulled over to the scene before the fire department arrived. “No one was hurt, which may not have been the case if the fire happened when we were holding a meeting or church service.”
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Over a day after the fire, no injuries have been reported.
The church also serves as a private school for children in preschool through eighth grade.
School administrators are hopeful Good Shephard Lutheran Academy will still be able to welcome students from summer vacation in late August, according to Schoenbeck, who serves as the chairman of the education committee.
The school is considering temporarily renting a storefront or office space to begin classes. The church building “is not inhabitable,” said Schoenbeck.
A car that knocked down a pole in the area was determined to not have started the fire, said ComEd Senior Manager of Communications John Schoen. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.