CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Members watch helplessly as newly remodeled Dover Baptist Church burns

Members watch helplessly as newly remodeled Dover Baptist Church burns

TYLER, TX (KYTX) - The place where Jeff Palmer married the love of his life became the tenth East Texas church in weeks to go down in flames, and all he could do was watch.

"It just makes me sick. It makes me sick, to see the memories in that building and the families that have been touched by that church over the years go up in smoke," said Palmer.

As arson claimed church after church in East Texas, Palmer took it upon himself to protect Dover Baptist Church, but on this fateful night, he was running late.

"Ever since the churches started being burned every night when I come home I always look around the church and county road right past it to see if I see any vehicles or anything suspicious, and I was running late tonight,"said Palmer.

As smoke poured out of the building, firefighters worked to contain the flames that quickly consumed the church.

What makes this hurt even more for church member, Jonathan Bonham, is that his church recently remodeled the building.

From the pews, to the restrooms everything that was new is now reduced to ashes.

"Wednesday I was in there with my best friend. We were in there alone praying for everyone and their sins, but the guy who did this, I won't be able to forgive him. I pray that the Lord will forgive him, but me, I won't be able to," said Jonathan Bonham.

A heartbreaking loss, but one that won't break this congregation's faith.

"The building, it's not the church. The church is the people, but the building is burned,"said Palmer.