Six Firefighters Injured as Blaze Engulfs Historic Astoria Church in New York

Six Firefighters Injured as Blaze Engulfs Historic Astoria Church in New York

A fast-moving fire tore through a historic church in New York City on Thursday, leaving multiple firefighters injured and drawing a large emergency response. The five-alarm blaze struck the First Reformed Church of Astoria, one of the city’s oldest congregations, causing significant damage to the structure.

PCUSA Report: 43% Stopped Giving to Denomination to Focus on Local Churches

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has reviewed new findings outlining why some of its members have discontinued financial contributions to the denomination. During a recent meeting, PC(USA), A Corporation heard a presentation from Research Services representative Sean Payne addressing the reasons behind declining donor participation.
  • Tennessee Church Serves Community With Free Fuel and Gospel Outreach
    As fuel costs continue to rise globally, a church in Tennessee recently stepped in to help by providing free gasoline to hundreds of local drivers. Overcoming Believers Church in Knoxville, which has about 1,500 members, hosted its “Gas & Glory” outreach event on Saturday at a nearby Thumbs Up Exxon station.
  • Protestant Churches See Stronger Giving Growth While Catholic Parishes Show Stability, Reports Find
    New research suggests that Protestant churches are more likely to experience increases in donations, while Catholic parishes tend to demonstrate steadier giving patterns and greater use of recurring contributions, according to two 2026 reports from Ministry Brands. The findings come from the 2026 Annual Church Giving Report and the Annual Parish Giving Report.
  • Virginia Megachurch Gives Over $1 Million to Prevent Evictions for Hundreds of Families
    A historic Black megachurch in Virginia has contributed more than $1 million to help relieve housing debt for over 300 families living in public housing, preventing them from facing eviction. Alfred Street Baptist Church raised the funds through its annual SEEK initiative, a period of fasting and prayer observed earlier this year by members of the congregation.
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  • Ohio Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Pastor Over Homeless Ministry, Ending Case Permanently

    An Ohio judge has issued a final ruling that throws out a lawsuit filed by a city against a local pastor who operated a round-the-clock homeless outreach program on church grounds. Judge James D. Bates of the Williams County Court of Common Pleas released a conclusive decision in the case involving Fire Chief Douglas Pool of the Bryan Fire Department against Dad’s Place and Riehle Rentals, LLC.

  • Nigerian Court Rules in Favor of UMC in Dispute With Global Methodist Church

    A court in Nigeria has ruled in favor of The United Methodist Church in an ongoing legal dispute with the Global Methodist Church over registration status and control of resources. Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the High Court issued an order directing the Corporate Affairs Commission to reverse its earlier decision that had renamed the United Methodist Church in Nigeria as the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria.

  • Netanyahu Orders Reopening of Holy Sepulchre Following Palm Sunday Dispute

    Israeli authorities restored access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday after an initial police decision to block entry to a senior Catholic leader sparked international criticism. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch and leading Catholic authority in the region, had attempted to reach the church alongside Francesco Ielpo, the site’s official guardian.

  • Highland Park United Methodist Church Launches Serving Day With 500 Volunteers

    Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas is expected to mobilize more than 500 volunteers for a large-scale community outreach during its annual Churchwide Serving Day on Saturday. Held each year on the eve of Palm Sunday, the event brings together hundreds of participants to partner with local organizations addressing poverty and supporting communities throughout the city

  • Georgia Megachurch Baptizes 400 in Weekend Service Citing “Prompting of the Holy Spirit”

    A multisite church in Georgia reported baptizing hundreds of individuals during a single weekend, describing the event as a spiritually driven moment rather than a long-planned initiative. Bethlehem Church, which averages about 7,000 attendees across its campuses, said that exactly 400 people were baptized during services held over the weekend of March 1 at its three locations.

  • Rowan Williams Questions Survival of Anglican Communion Amid Ongoing Divisions

    Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has raised doubts about the long-term future of the Anglican Communion, suggesting it may struggle to endure amid deepening internal divisions. In a recent interview with Clerical Whispers published last week, Williams openly questioned the Communion’s survival.

  • Church of the Highlands Expands to 26 Campuses With Opening of Second Georgia Location

    Church of the Highlands has continued its expansion beyond Alabama with the launch of a new campus in Georgia, increasing the total number of its locations to 26. The Alabama-based multisite megachurch recently opened its latest campus in Peachtree City, marking its second presence in the state. The first worship service was held last Sunday at McIntosh High School.

  • Man Removed From Prestonwood Baptist Church Service After Disrupting Sermon on Israel, Middle East Conflict

    A church service at a Texas megachurch was briefly interrupted when a worshiper was escorted out by security after disrupting the sermon. The incident occurred on March 15 during the 11 a.m. service at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, north of Dallas. The disturbance occurred while Pastor Jack Graham was delivering a message focused on “America, Israel, and War in the Middle East.”
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