It looked like a grim Christmas Eve for a Southern California church after fire tore through the structure.
But it’ll be a happy service regardless.
Magnolia Presbyterian Church officials announced a new location for their Christmas Eve service Monday after a fire tore through the house of worship.
The 7 p.m. service will still be held on the church’s premises, 7200 Magnolia Ave. in Riverside, but has been moved to the chapel, also known as the Fellowship Hall.
“Lights and signs will guide you. Please come for candlelight and communion,” church officials posted on Facebook.
The fire was reported at 7:11 p.m. Sunday, said Fire Battalion Chief Todd Gooch of the Riverside City Fire Department.
“The first arriving unit found heavy smoke conditions to the rear of the church sanctuary,” Gooch said. “Multiple units performed an aggressive attack on the fire which was controlled in just over one hour.”
The knockdown time was 8:32 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
The fire started in a room that contained a compressor that provided air to the church organ, he said. The cause of the fire was “undetermined” after an investigation.
“We are … grateful for the work of Riverside’s firefighters,” church officials posted overnight on Facebook. “They are awesome.”