Wildfires destroy Malibu Presbyterian Church
October 22, 2007
by Jerry L. Van Marter

 LOUISVILLE — (Presbyterian News Service) A string of wildfires raging out of control in southern California claimed the Malibu Presbyterian Church in Pacific Presbytery Sunday night (Oct. 21).

 The 287-member church, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean in one of the Los Angeles area’s most exclusive communities, burned to the ground.

 According to the Associated Press, only one fatality has been reported, but most of the fires — which stretch from San Diego near the Mexican border north to Santa Barbara — have not been contained so countless homes and other structures are still at risk of destruction.

 In Malibu, about 700 firefighters worked to protect hundreds of homes in several upscale communities nestled in the hills. About 1,500 people were evacuated and the blaze destroyed several homes in addition to Malibu Presbyterian Church.  

Early Monday morning, Malibu’s pastor, the Rev. Greg Hughes, and Pacific Presbytery officials were not yet available for comment.

For coverage of the fires, including photos of the destruction of Malibu Presbyterian Church, visit the Web (http://news.aol.com/story/_a/deadly-california-fires-destrsite oy-homes/20071021110509990001 ).