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Palin church badly damaged in suspected arson

by Leyla Santiago
Saturday, December 13, 2008

WASILLA, Alaska -- Investigators say arson caused a fire that badly damaged the former church of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin late Friday night and into early Saturday morning.

The blaze at the Wasilla Bible Church broke out as a group of women made crafts inside. It is not yet known if the church was targeted because of Palin's affiliation. Palin's spokesperson, Bill McAllister, issued a statement on her behalf after she visited the church on Saturday.

"(Palin) told an assistant pastor that she apologizes if the incident is in any way connected to the undeserved negative attention the church has received since she became a vice presidential candidate on Aug. 29. Whatever the motives of the arsonist, the governor has faith in the scriptural passage that what was intended for evil will in some way be used for good."

Church members are in shock and have with unanswered questions after what Mat-Su firefighters called the biggest fire of the year. It's a place of worship to more than a thousand people in the Valley.

But investigators say it's too early to tell who did what and why.

"At this point in time I can't go into those details since it is an active investigation," Central Mat-Su Fire Department Chief James Steele said.

They did say the fire started on the outside of the back of the building with a handful of people inside around 10 p.m.

But the blaze badly damaged what many considered to be a new building, built just three years ago, to the tune of an estimated $1 million.

"At least the floor in one area has actually dropped approximately two feet," Steele said.

But the church pastor is focusing on the bigger picture.

"I've had a lot worst calls at night," Pastor Larry Kroon said. "When one of your parishioners dies or loses a child, it's a whole different thing than the building's on fire."

Besides a new venue for services, Kroon says the fire changes nothing.

"Chose faith, live with hope and keep caring about people," he said. "That's what we'll do."

Because according to him, a building doesn't make up a church, the people do.

When asked if he forgives the person who did this, Kroon said he will let investigators handle the case.

Meanwhile, he'll turn his attention to holding Sunday services in other buildings. This week it will be at Wasilla Middle School at 11:15 a.m.

The church does plan to rebuild.

Contact Leyla Santiago lsantiago@ktuu.com