Maryland Fire Destroys 19th-Century Church

A 19th-century church in Hampden, Maryland has been destroyed by fire.

Firefighters say they arrived at the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church about 6 a.m. Saturday and were still working to extinguish the three-alarm blaze four hours later.

Baltimore fire department spokesman Kevin Cartright says no one was in the church at the time of the fire and there are no reports of injuries.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation. Damage is estimated at $5.5 million.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Robin Johnson, says he will meet with congregants Sunday at a nearby church to discuss the congregation’s future.

Parishioners say the stone and wood church was built 130 years ago.