Buckner Donates $10K to Burned Church

The Ralph Buckner Foundation in Cleveland has presented a $10,000 check to Thompson Springs Baptist Church, after the church suffered excessive damage in an early morning fire Thursday morning in Cleveland..

 Ralph Buckner Jr. made the presentation this morning to Rev. Joe White, church pastor.

The 77-year-old church, with a congregation of about 80 members, is located on Bates Pike SE.

The fire was first reported at 3:18 a.m. when a neighbor noticed the flames at the church, which is located on the 5600 block of Bates Pike S.E.  The fire swept through the main sanctuary, Sunday school rooms and the fellowship hall of the church.  Firefighters extinguished the fire before the flames reached the church's new addition which is two-thirds under construction. Once complete, the new addition will provide a sanctuary and offices.

Buckner said he was touched when he learned the fate of the historic old church and wanted to help in some way with their re-building process.