BUILDiNG UPDATES
On April 28th our church building in the Heights suffered extensive fire and subsequent water damage. The small house to the west of us caught fire first and eventually the fire spread to our building. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Firefighters responded to extinguish the fire, and in the process, the majority of our building was impacted by either water or fire.
After several weeks of working with our Landlords and insurance, we have determined that our small building will no longer be habitable. It is most likely that the structure will be torn down. Though we were very sad to learn of this news, we are grateful for the clarity and our new partnership with The Heights Theater.
What was originally thought to be a “short-term” solution, The Heights Theater has offered to host our Sunday morning worship for the foreseeable future. Given all of the variables, we are expecting to be in the Theater at least a year.
FAQs
Below are answers to a few frequently asked questions. If you have more questions, you can email Josh at the link below and he will get back to you with a response. Thank you for caring for this community!
How did the building catch fire?
The fire started at the house just to the west of Gather, and spread to Gather’s exterior fence, then west facing exterior wall, and finally the roof. We aren’t exactly sure how the fire first started, but many have speculated a lightning strike.
What all did we lose?
About 95% of the building was touched by fire or water, so almost everything was lost. We were able to recover some items that were inside the kitchen cabinets, our white plastic chairs from the main worship area, and a portion of our sound equipment.
What is the timing for us to get back into our building at 108 W 10th ½ St?
Due to the substantial fire & water damage, we will not be able to move back to 108. It is most likely that the main structure will have to be torn down.
What is happening with Gather in the meantime?
We are moving forward! We are now meeting for church Sunday mornings at 10am at The Heights Theater at 339 W 19th St. We will continue to have our usual children’s programming. You can find information for Sunday mornings here. As for events, look for updates and announcements in our weekly emails and on instagram @gatherhouston. At the start of 2024 we are hoping to convene a “building committee” to help us with market research and make a formal recommendation for next steps towards a more permanent location. That being said, we will be at The Heights Theater for the foreseeable future.
What is the plan for the money that was raised for restoring 108 W. 10 1/2?
Just after the fire our community donated almost $20,000 to our “building fund.” We have that $20,000 earmarked and in its own account. That money can and will only be used for a permanent location. The “building fund” is currently not open to receive new donations. We are VERY grateful for the money that was donated, and we feel like $20,000 is a healthy starting budget as we seek out new building options in 2024.
If you have any other questions, please email josh@gatherhouston.org